Villagers have voiced fears that their roads, schools and medical services will not be able to cope with more than 900 new homes.

https://infogr.am/site_of_proposed_housing_in_easton

The green light has been given to outline plans to build 907 new homes in Easton, which currently has just 619 homes.

Speaking at the meeting of South Norfolk Council's planning committee yesterday, councillor Lisa Neal admitted it was a 'big application that will totally change the village'.

After the decision was taken, Ian Chisholm, of Easton Against Development, said he was disappointed. 'We don't want the village to be swallowed up,' he explained. 'It's like dropping Loddon on top of Easton then walking away.'

More than 500 residents had signed a petition against the application, but councillors said their hands were tied as the application did not go against local planning policies.

Alison Thomas, of Hempnall ward, said that if the application was refused, the case would likely be taken to a government planning inspector who would overturn the decision.

This would mean the local authority 'loses the ability to control and condition' the development on land either side of Dereham Road.

Plans were put forward by a consortium of landowners including Easton and Otley College, the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance and the Rampton Property Trust. As well as the homes, there would be an extended primary school, a new village hall, a shop and a relocated, larger allotment site.

Kevin Cooper, speaking on behalf of the consortium, said the scheme would generate £6.5m for South Norfolk Council which could go towards infrastructure; other proceeds would be reinvested to sustain the 'altruistic purposes' of the consortium and the creation of facilities such as the new village hall would benefit the community. He noted that the local authority needed to deliver its quota of new homes, Highways England did not object and new pedestrian and cycle links would be built.

Plans were approved with seven councillors in favour, three abstentions and one, Viv Bell, not allowed to take part in the vote as she briefly left the room during the debate.

The agent for the applicant said there was already interest from several major housebuilders, and it was likely that development would be phased – with a number of more detailed planning applications submitted in the coming years.

Was South Norfolk Council right to give the go-ahead? Write to: The Letters Editor, EDP, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE .

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