Passionate opposition to 125 homes being built was made clear at a packed-out meeting of Horsford Parish Council last night.

Eastern Daily Press: Packed-out Horsford Parish Council meeting sees local residents oppose development of 125 homes from David Wilson Homes.Packed-out Horsford Parish Council meeting sees local residents oppose development of 125 homes from David Wilson Homes. (Image: Archant)

David Wilson Homes is proposing to develop 125 new homes in Horsford, to the north of Norwich, and has lodged its plans with Broadland District Council.

But around 150 villagers attended the meeting at Horsford Village Hall, with only around half actually able to squeeze into the room the monthly meeting was being held in.

Over 50 people attended a meeting at the village's Brickmakers pub last week to plan their opposition to the plans and nominated four people to speak on their behalf at the meeting.

The biggest round of applause of the night went to Kevin O'Gorman who said: 'How long before Horsford becomes a town? We are a rural community and we want to stay that way. That means using farm land to farm and not build houses.'

David Wilson Homes sent a delegation along to answer questions but a rowdy and sometimes heated atmosphere left little time for full answers.

The developer is intending to build on the Sharps Hall Farm site, off Mill Lane, and has offered section 106 planning agreements which would see Horsford Junior School, also in Mill Lane, receive £35,000 to improve car parking and traffic flow on the road.

There is also £60,000 being offered for energy-based improvements, including solar panels, at the village hall in Holt Road.

Angry residents told the developers that the village's medical practice and two schools were already over capacity and struggling to cope with demand, and that the main Holt Road through the village is already too busy.

Jess Woodhouse was one of the organisers of the opposition movement said it was 'absolutely fantastic' to have so many people attend the meeting.

The parish council unanimously voted to write to the district council in objection to the proposal being given planning permission. The plans are due to go before Broadland's planning committee in July.

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