A bid to build a new housing development in East Harling has been met with strong opposition over the “detrimental impact” it could have upon village amenities.
An outline application has been submitted to build approximately 67 houses on land off Kenninghall Road in East Harling.
The development would consist of two and three-bedroom semi-detached houses and four-bedroom detached houses. Up to 40pc would be affordable housing.
However the bid has sparked controversy among many residents, with more than 40 letters of objections sent to Breckland Council.
Concerns have been raised about the insufficient number of school places and the strain an increase in the population would have on the East Harling and Kenninghall doctors’ surgeries.
A letter from NHS England said the GP practices “do not have capacity for the additional growth resulting from this development and cumulative development in the area”.
Resident Lynn Lock said villagers understand the need for housing but feel the village has had its fair share of developments.
Heritage Developments haS already created the Poppy Fields and Rusina Fields estates with more than 60 houses. There is also potential for a third phase consisting of 85 houses.
Mrs Lock, who has lived in East Harling for 11 years, said: “The feelING is that we live in a village with narrow roads and surrounded by farm land.
“Building this estate on what is now agricultural land will turn the village into a small town without any infrastructure.
“It is outside the village envelope. People’s main problem with it is that the school is already full. The doctors’ surgery is also full.”
Harling Parish Council unanimously agreed to oppose the development because it was felt it would “have a serious impact on the residential amenities and would demonstrably harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area”.
The council also raised issues with the increase of traffic on the B1111, which it said is already under “great strain” and said becomes a “bottleneck” at peak periods. Councillors are also concerned about the loss of an open countryside walk, as a public right of way currently runs through the development site.
The applicant did not wish to comment.
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