Barnham Broom villagers angry at council's housing plan

South Norfolk District Council (SNDC) wants to convert a green meadow into 40 new homes in Bell Road at the centre of Barnham Broom. 

It makes up part of the council's Village Clusters Allocation Plan (VCHAP) which identifies suitable sites for a minimum of 1,200 homes across 48 South Norfolk village clusters by 2038.

However 420 of the 666 people living across the village are furious about the plans and set up a petition objecting to the council's development of the site.

They are also concerned about the parish council's mismanagement, with a lack of public accountability and consultation on the plans.

The plan is to build 40 homes at a green space in Barnham Broom (Image: Supplied)

'IT'S SCANDALOUS'

Kate Hayes, 68, has lived in Barnham Broom since 1991 and said: "It’s scandalous – this will irrevocably harm our village. 

"We've gathered more than 400 signatures from concerned residents – a clear testament to how utterly unheard we feel.

"This isn't just about the SNDC meeting housing targets - it's about the very soul of Barnham Broom.

"Members of the parish council have suggested the entire council should resign.

"We're pleading with South Norfolk  to think again and finally engage with our village to come up with a better plan."

Kate Hayes says the development will irrevocably harm the village (Image: Kate Hayes)

'IT NEEDS TO BE A GREEN SPACE'

Jan Plasted, who's lived in the area for 47 years, added: "I don’t agree with the plans.

"The site needs to be kept wholly as a green space.

"I'm not against new houses being constructed in the village as they are needed, but they need to be affordable ones and not just high price ones."

'WE FEEL LET DOWN'

Glenn Ireland, 44, has lived in the village his whole life and said: "I find the decision to build 40 houses, on the only green space in the centre of the village, strange. 

Glenn Ireland says there are lots of more appropriate places for the development (Image: Glenn Ireland)

"Who thought this is the right place to build - there are lots of more appropriate places around the village to build, in smaller clusters, so we retain the heart of our village.

"The parish feel the council has really let us down and I hope the community can move on from this, but it is hard to see how.

"We wanted a village green on this site not 40 houses."

SOUTH NORFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL RESPONSE

South Norfolk Cabinet member, Lisa Overton-Neal, said: "This site forms part of the council's village cluster plan which has been through two public consultations.

Jan Plasted said the site needs to be kept wholly as a green space (Image: Jan Plasted)

"The next step is for the plan to go in front of the cabinet and full council, for approval, before being submitted to the planning inspector in August.

"We are hoping the inspector will examine the plan in the autumn, when he will look at all the objections before making a decision."

COUNCILLOR 'SYMPATHISES' WITH COMMUNITY

District councillor, Richard Elliot, said: "I fully recognise and sympathise with the strength of feeling within the community.

"The meadow in question is clearly a much-loved and valued green space and I understand the distress that its potential development has caused.

"The petition is a powerful expression of the community's desire to preserve the character and integrity of the village.

A petition with more than 400 signatures has objected to the plans (Image: Supplied)

"I have consistently raised objections to the allocation of this site and have conveyed both my own and residents’ concerns to the planning department.

"I remain committed to seeking alternatives and to ensuring that local voices are heard throughout this process.

"That said, VCHAP was developed to ensure that housing growth across South Norfolk is delivered in a way that supports the sustainability of rural communities.

"Within Barnham Broom, there is recognition that some level of sensitive development may be necessary to support the long-term viability of these services and to ensure that the village remains a thriving and inclusive place to live."

South Norfolk Cabinet member, Lisa Overton-Neal, said the plans will go in front of cabinet and full council for approval (Image: South Norfolk Council)