Views sought on 1,100 homes plan for coastal village

Persimmon Homes has applied to build 1,100 homes in addition to 665 already earmarked for land close to Caister-on-Sea

A parish council says it is concerned at plans to build 1,100 homes on the edge of a coastal village, citing a lack of infrastructure and community facilities.

Caister-on-Sea Parish Council said services, including health provision, police and local sewage works, were already under pressure.

The Great Yarmouth Borough Council draft Local Plan has identified land for housing at Nova Scotia Farm, west of the east Norfolk village.

The plan was in addition to consent granted to Persimmon Homes in July 2022 for 665 homes on an adjacent site.

Caister Parish Council chairman Kevin Wood said the village was not against more houses, but they needed community infrastructure for the additional residents

Great Yarmouth Borough Council's planning consultation closes on Wednesday 8 May.

'Urban sprawl'

Kevin Wood, chairman of Caister Parish Council, said he was not against housing but was concerned about the pressure additional homes would put on community services.

He said the two developments "could increase the population of Caister by 5,000 or 6,000 people".

"What they're planning is a village in itself without an infrastructure," he added.

"There is no infrastructure planned so all we are going to get is urban sprawl.

"We've [Caister Parish Council] got no objection to them building houses; we feel that is needed. But we need an infrastructure."

The two developments would see a total of 1,760 homes built on Nova Scotia Farm, on the edge of Caister-on-Sea

Mr Wood said consultations from the local GP practice, pharmacy and police revealed that community resources were already stretched.

The draft local plan stated that 10% of the homes should be affordable, that a sheltered housing scheme should be included - as well as a 27-acre (11ha) country park.

Land had been allocated for a school as part of the 655-home estate, but with no commitment for buildings to be erected by the developer.

Persimmon Homes said: "This is part of Great Yarmouth’s Local Plan process which is a plan for the whole borough, not just Caister, and is still at quite early stages.

"At this stage we feel it would not be right for us to take part."

Great Yarmouth Borough Council will make a decision on the local plan at a later date.

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