Norwich's Thorpe Marriot Residents Alarmed by 1,500 Housing Plans
The residents of Thorpe Marriot, a village on the outskirts of Norwich, are concerned about the potential traffic chaos caused by a proposed 1,500-home development. The project, which has not yet commenced, has sparked worries among locals about the strain it will place on the area's already inadequate road networks.
The roads between Fir Covert Road and Reepham Road, where the homes are planned, are described as 'not fit for purpose'. Some residents have called for the reinstatement of the Western Link, a road connecting the NDR to the A47, to help alleviate the anticipated traffic congestion.
The development has already faced opposition, with 279 homes near Thorpe Marriot met with objections. Residents fear that local services, including the Taverham surgery and nearby schools, will struggle to cope with the additional population.
The situation has escalated with over 20 neighbors writing to the Broadland District Council to voice their objections. Bernard Garner, a resident of Broom Close, directly overlooking the development site, expressed his concerns: 'We lived here for 23 years. It's a beautiful farm area, but the plans are chaotic. The road networks won't change, and yet they're doubling the size of Thorpe Marriot.'
Martin Clarke, 64, echoed similar sentiments, stating, 'It's outrageous. The current traffic situation is chaotic, and with 1,500 more homes, it will only worsen. We need the Western Link to address the area's traffic issues.'
James Webb, a 25-year-old resident of Wylde Croft, shared his concerns: 'They're building on our farmland. There are insufficient shops and medical facilities. I don't think it's a good idea, as it will cause significant disruptions in the area.'
Ben Piggott, who has lived in the area since 1998, noted that discussions about the housing plans have been ongoing for years. He expressed his worries about potential changes in housing quality but emphasized the road infrastructure as the primary concern.
Lisa Banbrook, another resident of Wylde Croft, supported the development as long as it provided homes for those in need. However, a resident who lodged an objection with the South Norfolk Council raised a valid point: 'The planning consent was granted based on the NDR Western Link, which was expected to be operational by 2021, and traffic data from that year. However, current traffic levels are not reflective of the post-pandemic reality.'
The plans for the development were submitted by Barratt David Wilson Homes in September, outlining the details for a section of the 279-home project, with 81 being affordable. Since the initial phase was announced, over 40 people have written to the council in objection.
Stuart Clancy, a Conservative Broadland District Councillor for Taverham South, has long opposed the plans, stating, 'They should not proceed in their current state. The 2021 traffic impact survey, conducted during the pandemic, is no longer accurate. Construction vehicles will also use inadequate roads in Thorpe Marriot.'
Clancy organized a meeting on September 6 to address additional concerns from neighbors, with Rebecca Finn, a resident of Wylde Croft, attending two such meetings, both of which were well-attended.
Finn expressed her frustration: 'We don't need this development. There's no room. I wouldn't object if it were solely for homeless and social housing, but from what I understand, that isn't the case.'
The proposed Western Link, intended to ease congestion once the development was complete, was recently scrapped by Norfolk County Council in December. Despite this, a Broadland District Council spokesperson assured that the housing development would not be affected.
