450-home development raises fears of gridlocking Norfolk village
Brandon Road connects Brandon and Weeting. Picture: Archant - Credit: Archant
Residents fear that their road could become gridlocked if plans to build 450 homes on the Norfolk/Suffolk border between a village and a town are approved.
The land that could be developed in Weeting. Picture: Archant - Credit: Archant
The outline planning application would see up to 450 homes built on the outskirts of Brandon, between the town and Weeting, as well as access roads, car parking and public open spaces.
Talavera Estates has submitted the plans to Breckland Council to build the homes at Mill Farm, Brandon Road, Brandon.
The documents claim that the homes would be high quality residential with access to the development from Brandon Road and the A1065 Mundford Road. Also included is infrastructure works.
Kim Curey has lived in Weeting for two years. She welcomes the homes but fears the infrastructure will not be supported.
Betty Dixon has lived in Weeting for 22 years. Picture: Archant - Credit: Archant
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The 55-year-old said: "My main concern is the traffic. With the main entrance on the Brandon Road it is going to be gridlocked.
"I hope they bring a doctors surgery as I have tried six times to get an appointment and it's worse for the dentist, we just have to hope we don't get a bad tooth.
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"It's not because it is on my front door, if it was on the other side of Brandon I would have the same concerns but houses need to be built."
The development is on a wedge of land between Brandon and Weeting about 150 metres away from Brandon train station. Although the development would be built on the outskirts of Brandon it is technically in Norfolk in the parish of Weeting.
The land falls outside of development boundary for the district but the application argues that not enough homes have been built.
The developers say that because Breckland Council is unable to show a five-year land supply the homes would contribute to the council reaching its target.
The documents say: "The proposed development comprising up to 450 dwellings will significantly boost the supply of housing that is not currently provided."
Betty Dixon, 72, of Peppers Close, does not drive and hopes the new development will bring shops to the area.
She said: "When I moved here with my late husband we always wondered when houses were going to be built as there is a lot of fields around here.
"We were always told they were farmer's fields but I guess money talks.
"I hope the houses will bring with them a supermarket as I have to walk up to Brandon."
