406-home estate approved despite road concerns

Neighbouring authorities have raised concerns about transport and infrastructure

A 406-home development on the outskirts of a city has been approved despite concerns from neighbouring authorities.

South Norfolk Council backed the final phase of Cringleford Heights beside the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and the A47.

The first phase of the 1,056-home estate is nearly completed, with the second phase due to go ahead despite transport and infrastructure concerns from Cringleford Parish Council, which has called for a new link road to be built.

Council chairman Trevor Wang said: "If the road is not put in place, the southern end of phase two is going to become a ghetto, with residents having to drive 1.2 miles (2km) just to reach their homes from the A11."

The first phase was outlined in 2013 and included the building of 650 homes on the northern part of the site.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillors at Cringleford Parish Council said the second phase should not go ahead without a new link road between Woolhouse Way and Sorrel Way.

Mr Wang said the lack of a link road would breach regional and neighbourhood transport policies and could leave families to depend more on cars.

The NHS trust and the East of England Ambulance Service argued as many as 766 new residents would place pressure on already stretched services, and called for six-figure grants to cater for this challenge.

Council officers rejected calls for NHS funding, saying Section 106 payments could not be used to support wider operational challenges.

Developers insisted the layout was designed so the road could be built and said the scheme was "acceptable without it", adding that it would deliver "much-needed homes, biodiversity enhancement and community benefits".

Once completed, the project would fulfil the village's housing quota under the local plan.

The scheme was approved unanimously, with numerous conditions imposed, including affordable housing.