MP warns homes plan will 'destroy community'

MP Terry Jermy said green spaces and community spirit made the Abbey Estate "special"

A major redevelopment of a housing estate would "destroy the community", according to an MP.

Housing provider Flagship wants to demolish and rebuild almost half the 1,100 properties on the Abbey Estate in Thetford, Norfolk – and add 500 more homes to the area.

The controversial £250m plan has been strongly opposed by many residents, but a report advising councillors to give their approval said it would bring "significant benefits".

Flagship said it wanted to bring "long-term improvements", but Labour MP Terry Jermy warned the area already had "a high housing density" and the increase in homes was "too many".

The Abbey Estate is just outside Thetford town centre

Built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the plans for the revamp of the Abbey Estate have been contentious since they were first announced in 2019.

Classified as one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England, Flagship said it wanted to give it "a new lease of life".

Its plans would see up to 551 homes knocked down and rebuilt, and an extra 500 added.

Sixty-six per cent of the properties on the estate belong to the social housing provider, with almost all the others privately owned.

With the promise of new, energy efficient homes – and facilities including improved shops, a community centre and play areas - the developer has sought to reassure residents.

But there has been heavy opposition to work that would take 20 years to complete.

Some people whose homes face demolition have lived in them for decades and they do not want to lose them.

Whilst they have been promised like-for-like replacements, they will have to move out whilst work takes place – and are not guaranteed to be back with their old neighbours when they return.

Others are concerned about the loss of parking spaces and garages, as well as green spaces.

Residents have said the plan will leave fewer green spaces on the estate

Jermy, who represents South West Norfolk and used to manage the estate's community centre, said if the planning application was approved it "will completely destroy the community".

"This is an estate that's already at quite a high housing density and it'll be even more homes crammed into the same sort of space.

"If this application goes ahead they'll lose open space equivalent to seven full size football pitches.

"That's a significant amount of green, open space that residents currently enjoy.

"And it's also an estate where community spirit is really strong.

"By forcing people out of their homes and relocating them, they will destroy that community spirit that is on the Abbey," he said.

An artist's impression of how the estate could look like in the future

Despite the concerns, members of Breckland Council's planning committee have been advised to give their approval.

A 141-page report detailed "significant benefits" including economic and social regeneration, along with additional housing – and described the area as "suitable for high density development".

It said the estate "suffers from issues with anti-social behaviour due to the absence of properly overlooked streets" and the new design offered "opportunities to build a stronger community through inclusive and active design".

It also highlighted an increase in play areas for children.

However, it also recognised "significant local opposition" with concerns raised over the impact on residents' mental health and it warned of "potential social unrest" during the development.

A spokesman for Flagship said its plans were "designed to bring long-term improvements to homes, green spaces and community facilities across the neighbourhood."

"We've spent five years listening to residents through surveys, workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one conversations about what matters most to them," he added.

"This regeneration would be delivered in phases, with further consultation at every stage.

"The outline application seeks to improve existing homes with energy-efficient measures, and provide additional homes to help meet Thetford's housing needs."