Norwich: Concern Trowse homes will affect Whitlingham Country Park

Whitlingham Country Park is located to the south of Norwich

A new housing development near Norwich that would back on to a country park could add demand to an "already over-stressed resource", it has been warned.

Whitlingham Charitable Trust has called for mitigation measures to protect Whitlingham Country Park, with 670 new homes being proposed nearby.

The trust said the park would not cope with more visitors, citing damage caused during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Norwich City Council said the public would be consulted on the plans.

The development site, known as Deal Ground, forms part of a plan to create thousands of jobs and homes by redeveloping areas around Carrow and Trowse, under the banner of the East Norwich Masterplan.

Plans for the site, submitted by Serruys Property Company, also include commercial space, a restaurant and dining quarter and a pub, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Four areas next to the River Wensum would be regenerated as part of the scheme

Fergus Bootman of the Whitlingham Charitable Trust, which oversees 40 acres of woodland and meadows, said: "It is clear that the addition of 670 new homes [at Deal Ground] will increase pressure on the country park through increasing visitor numbers.

"The impacts of increased use of the park were demonstrated during the Covid-19 lockdown period and, whilst visitor numbers have returned to more typical levels since the lifting of lockdown restrictions, the park is still recovering from the effects of that period of increased use and is undertaking extensive repair works to paths, car parks and other infrastructure as part of this 'recovery' effort."

Mr Bootman added that plans for a new country park at Bawburgh Lakes to spread out visitor numbers from the city had yet to be delivered.

The park at Trowse has proved popular with local residents

The trust's comments come as the company behind the scheme looks to produce an 'environmental statement' - an assessment of the impact of the project and what mitigation measures will be included, which is needed for large scale developments.

Norwich City Council officials said the east Norwich regeneration project "has been through a very thorough process which has involved stakeholders throughout".

A spokesperson added: "The work produced as part of this acknowledges the need to address management and maintenance associated with increased visitor pressure/usage of Whitlingham Country Park.

"This will be subject to public consultation prior to its adoption."