High Court challenge over Norfolk road and homes plan

A high court judge is expected to reserve his ruling on a legal challenge against a road plan and thousands of homes in Norfolk.

Campaigner Stephen Heard claims proposals for 33,000 properties and a Norwich northern distributor road, have not been properly assessed.

Councils behind the plan say there is no evidence to back his allegation.

Mr Justice Ouseley at the High Court, in London, is due to rule after two days of legal argument.

Mr Heard, of the campaign group Snub (Stop Norwich Urbanisation), is challenging a "joint core strategy", adopted by Broadland, Norwich and South Norfolk councils, that sets out plans for the new homes and road for the Norwich area.

The development is earmarked for between 2008 and 2026.

Mr Heard says the environmental impact and other options have not been fully considered.

Lawyers for the councils argue Mr Heard's claim is not supported by the evidence, and that the strategy should stand.