Controversial homes and park plan approved

Residents said they were worried about extra traffic at the busy junction of Norwich Road and Caistor Lane

Plans for a new school, country park and 178 homes have been given the go-ahead, despite opposition from more than 200 people.

Councillors were advised to approve the development on land between Caistor St Edmund and Poringland near Norwich.

A report for South Norfolk District Council's planning committee said it would provide "significant benefits", with a third of the proposed homes classed as affordable.

The local Labour councillor, Nicola Fowler, said residents were concerned about the pressure on local infrastructure and increased traffic.

"We do need more homes built. The problem is that we do have a lot of development in the village," she said.

A potential hurdle to the plans was removed when Norfolk County Council's highways department dropped its previous objection over traffic concerns.

Fowler said many in the villages could not understand why the council officials changed their minds.

"It is very difficult to add more traffic to this place without safety measures in place," she said.

Nicola Fowler said adding homes and a school onto Caistor Lane would see more traffic turning onto "a very, very busy" Norwich Road

A total of 222 objections were lodged over the plans and the local parish council said there was "no proven need for the country park".

The council also said the 420-place primary school would be "more remote" from the catchment area it would serve, leading to extra traffic.

A report to south Norfolk's planning officials conceded the development would have some adverse effects, but that the additional homes would "contribute towards addressing the shortfall in housing supply".

It also said there was a need for a new school – which would create more local jobs.

The development will sit on land on the edge of both Poringland and Caistor St Edmund

The proposals also include a new football pitch and traffic calming measures on Caistor Lane, which the development would be next to.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the meeting was told that if the plan was rejected, the government would likely overturn the decision because of the demand for more homes to be built.

Jeanette Utting, chairman of Caistor St Edmund Parish Council, said after the meeting: "Everyone is bitterly disappointed. This is the end of our village as we know it."

Lanpro - representing Glavenhill which is the Norwich-based developer behind the plans – said its scheme was recommended for approval after being examined by the council over "a considerable period of time".

Its spokesman added it was "not just about building volume housing" but also developing a "balanced" community with sporting facilities, affordable homes and biodiversity improvements.