Councillors to debate controversial plans for 83 homes on Costessey’s River Tud Valley
View from the top of Farmland Road in Costessey across the Tud Valley. Picture: James Bass - Credit: James Bass
A controversial plan for 83 homes in a river valley has been recommended for approval despite attracting hundreds of objections.
Illustrative masterplan for 83 homes north of Farmland Road, Costessey. Picture: Fellden and Mawson - Credit: Archant
The outline application from Katrina Kozersky, is due to be debated at the South Norfolk Council development management committee in Long Stratton on Wednesday December 6.
If councillors follow planning officers' recommendation for approval, the homes would be built on the River Tud valley off Farmland Road which acts as a natural barrier between New Costessey and Old Costessey.
It will be discussed alongside outline plans, also proposed by Mrs Kozersky, for two circular recreational walks, including boardwalks and 'associated landscaping and biodiversity enhancements' next to the homes.
That has been recommended for approval by council planning officers.
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The homes application, which includes 27 affordable properties, was originally put forward by Mrs Kozersky in 2015 but rejected by the council in 2016.
That was because it would 'result in an unacceptable visual impact on the landscape of the river valley and Easton fringe farmland character areas which amounts to significant and demonstrable harm to the landscape'.
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Some amendments have been made including planting to screen the area, permeable paving and soakaways to tackle surface water and a reduction of house dimensions, according to a committee report.
The homes plan has received 339 letters of objection and three letters of support.
Objections came from MPs, Costessey Town Council, county and district councillors, Farmland Road Action Group and residents.
They claim the updated application is 'largely unaltered' and would harm the river valley.
There are also fears the 'unsustainable development' would have an 'adverse impact' on local services.
The council planning officer said the 'harm' of 83 homes 'did not significantly demonstrably outweigh the benefits'.
A design and access statement said: 'The development is entirely within Easton fringe farmland landscape character area, avoiding any direct impact on the Tud Valley character area. While keeping well back from the Tud River, it also sits outside the predicted flooding zone.'
