I am appalled that the Church Farm, Taverham, site could be even remotely considered for development. The River Wensum is an SSSI and a Conservation Area and the proposed site is also in the high-impact area of the Environment Agency's Groundwater Source Protection Zone. Apart from the site's obvious environmental importance, the suggested development of 144 houses and community technology hub would be built in an area which regularly floods, and would presumably be accessed from Taverham Road, which already has severe traffic and speeding problems that have been exacerbated by the opening of the incomplete NDR. I therefore find it incredible that the Suitability Assessment for this site has concluded that some of the criteria it uses for analysis have returned a 'green' rating.
The proposed 144 houses would more than double the number that already exist on this attractive road, and undoubtedly significantly lower the value, outlook and quality of life of the existing properties in Taverham Road, as well as throughout large parts of the rest of Taverham.
Much of Taverham Road is already so narrow that there is only a footpath on one side along most of its length, meaning that residents, schoolchildren and other pedestrians already face numerous safety issues created by the huge volume of traffic (including large lorries) that attempts to squeeze and speed along this semi-rural road.
The site does not have the infrastructure in its vicinity to support so many more houses - the schools and doctors' surgeries are already overloaded and the suggested development would easily generate 500+ new residents.
Furthermore, development of the site would undoubtedly encourage further planning applications for the land surrounding Mack's Lane on areas where it is currently not permitted, and Taverham's green and pleasant village atmosphere and environment would be totally lost.
For all these reasons I object most strongly to this site being developed.