A councillor has planned a protest to let people voice their concerns over proposals to sell off green spaces.
Harry Clarke, a Breckland and Dereham Town councillor, has organised the rally on February 11 at Colin MacClean ‘green’ at the top of Sandy Lane to protest against part of the Breckland Bridge Business Plan.
The plans, first revealed in October, showed the district council had earmarked several parcels of land in Dereham's residential areas for potential sale - sparking outcry from locals.
It includes proposals to build small housing sites for income generation after they were identified as part of a new business plan for a development company Breckland Council partly owns called Breckland Bridge.
Breckland Council has stressed that “no firm plans for any of these sites" have yet been made - and the council will consult its ward members.
Mr Clarke has been opposed to the plans and took around petitions to keep as many green spaces, obtaining hundreds of signatures. He spoke to over 600 residents across Dereham.
“Residents want all the areas listed to remain as public open space, free for public use, to be enjoyed as they are now and not built on,” he said.
"In many cases, the responses are 100pc of the area’s residents, many are understandably upset and frankly angry these green spaces could be lost.
“Many have lived there for years, played there as children, now watching grandchildren play in view, or walking their dogs. The last couple of years surely shows their value for physical and mental health."
Paul Hewett, executive member for property, projects and procurement at Breckland Council, added: “As part of an ongoing district-wide review of land owned by the council, we are currently considering how a number of areas are being used at the moment and whether they could potentially provide added value to the local community or the district as a whole in the future.
“As part of that process, we will be consulting with our district council ward members and town councils and their feedback will help to inform plans going forward.
"Mr Clarke is well aware of the process concerning these sites and is also aware that no firm plans for the sites have been made.”
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