Great Yarmouth neighbours unite in effort to halt plans for building block of flats on their terraced street

Residents are campaigning against the planned development of land on Anson Road in Great Yarmouth. Picture : ANTONY KELLY (Image: archant 2017)

A new development in Lichfield Road, Southtown, Great Yarmouth could see nine two-bed homes built on a site where until recently a three-bed bungalow stood.

The flats plan is the latest in a string of five proposals for the site stretching back to 2006.

Nearby residents are worried about the impact of parking on the already congested roads.

David Abel, 64, who lives in nearby Anson Road, has been gathering signatures from other worried neighbours – so far he has collected more than 150.

He said: 'My house was built in 1892. This new development is completely out of character.

'Are these homes going to go to professionals? Southtown is not a posh area, it's a working class area. I can't imagine a doctor wanting to move here.'

Mr Abel said he had carried out a survey and worked out each of the neighbouring homes had roughly two cars each.

He fears 12 cars could be added to adjacent roads, if the new householders use the six purpose-built parking bays at the back of the site and have two cars each.

Lisa Coleman, 45, has lived nearby in Anson Road for 17 years and said everyone was coming together against the plans, adding: 'We've had enough.'

Lichfield Arms landlord, Stephen 'Podge' Smith, 53, said parking was a big issue, adding: 'The developer would be better off putting four houses there and leaving the rest for parking.'

The empty bungalow which occupied the site was demolished earlier this year. Residents were concerned developers did not have planning permission.

However a Great Yarmouth Borough Council spokesman said builders had express permission in the form of an application to demolish the old house and build five town houses, which was approved in August 2016.

The landowner, Paul Snuggs, 30, said he is working with his dad on their first housing development.

He said having assessed the finances for the town house plan, he would struggle to make a profit.

'We tried to do it the best way possible and provide parking and not congest the road.

'The area has mainly terraced housing, so people may be apprehensive about apartments, but these days it's hard to get on the property ladder so these plans could help first time buyers.'