Affordable homes plan thrown out

A housing development which would have provided 13 new affordable homes in East Harling has been thrown out. Peddars Way Housing Association may now lose a grant from the Housing Corporation which would have helped pay for the new homes on land off Jubilee Avenue.

A housing development which would have provided 13 new affordable homes in East Harling has been thrown out.

Peddars Way Housing Association may now lose a grant from the Housing Corporation which would have helped pay for the new homes on land off Jubilee Avenue.

However, the scheme had met with opposition from residents in Jubilee Avenue, a cul-de-sac, the parish council and officers at Breckland Council.

And, on Monday, the council's development control committee refused planning permission for the scheme.

It would have included a mix of 13 terrace and semi-detached one to four- bedroom homes and a green space and seen the demolition of two currently vacant homes on the site.

Part of the problem with the scheme was that it was very close to The Crescent, a row of listed post second world war homes designed by George Skipper abutting one end of the site.

Mike Burton, a resident in Jubilee Avenue, said there were concerns with an increase in traffic and loss of road safety, especially as it was close to a primary school and where children played.

Roy Kemp, ward representative on Breckland Council, said: "Jubilee Avenue is peaceful and quiet with good quality three bedroom homes. This development would disrupt the whole ambience of the area."

A spokeswoman for Peddars Way said the development was proposed to fulfil a need for affordable homes in the village and that they would be reserved as affordable housing in perpetuity, with preference given to people with local connections.

The scheme was refused on grounds of over-crowding, failure to enhance the area, impact on listed buildings and poor design and layout.