A plan to build seven new bungalows in Reepham has been refused by a national planning inspector, who said the scheme could damage the area’s delicate habitats.

The development had been refused by Broadland District Council in November 2021, requesting permission to build the development on land off Wood Dalling Road.

The applicant appealed against the council’s decision with the Planning Inspectorate, but in a decision issued on Wednesday, November 23, inspector Jonathan Parsons upheld the refusal. 

Mr Parsons said the development would be within the catchment areas of the Norfolk Broads and the River Wensum - both of which are internationally recognised as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

He concluded that the bungalows would harm “the integrity” of the SACs, and that there was also “a failure to secure acceptable public open space to serve the needs of residents of the development”. 

While admitting “the proposal would result in the creation of much-needed housing”, as well as other social, economic and even some environmental benefits, he said the other factors outweighed those benefits.

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