Sancroft Way
Sancroft Way is currently a T shaped cul de sac comprising of 14 properties. The site was developed in the late 1980's on land that had been excavated for its sand and gravel in the past and so the cul de sac is "enclosed" by a 4 metre high bank.
The boundary for properties No 5 to No 12 in Sancroft Way is the bank which adjoins the field, for which the proposed site forms part of. The whole field is higher than the road and is higher still on the other side where the public footpath runs.
The proposed site would sit directly behind six properties in the Low Road and to the left hand side if the existing Sancroft Way.
Slope of the land
The proposed site is higher than the properties on the Low Road and the adjoining properties in Sancroft Way. Properties on one side of Sancroft Way are higher than those on the other side of the road. This is because the existing Sancroft Way was formed on the land excavated for the gravel pit. The proposed site is on land which is higher than the properties on both the Low Road and Sancroft Way.
Water/run off
There could potentially be drainage issues as the run off from the field would be "blocked" by the proposed site.
The Low Road lies on lower lying land created in the river valleys, the River Waveney is nearby. Naturally water will follow its course and as the far side if the field is higher than the proposed site, not only will it affect the site but also have an affect on the properties on the Low Road and in Sancroft Way.
Access
If access to be gained from the end of Sancroft Way, between No 4a and No 5, the land which could form an entrance is not on the same level as the site would be. Excavation would be required and this would directly affect the adjoining properties to the entrance, No 4a and No 5.
Privacy
The new properties on the proposed site would sit higher than the properties on the Low Road and the existing properties in Sancroft Way. This would result in the properties on the Low Road being totally overlooked and many of the existing properties in Sancroft Way being considerably overlooked and the gardens for others.
Specifically looking at No 5 Sancroft Way, this property is a bungalow, whose roof is the same height as the bank which acts as the boundary. The plans suggest the site would follow the curved bank which is also the boundary so the site would "surround" this property so it would be completely overlooked. If the proposed site was developed with the properties sitting at different directions to the existing properties this would not resolve any privacy issues due to the height of the proposed site. No matter which way they are sited they would totally overlook the properties on the Low Road and No's 4a and 5 Sancroft Way and the gardens from Number 6 to No 11 in Sancroft Way.
Environment
The land is currently not farmed which adds to the peace and tranquility of the area and for Sancroft Way and those properties on the Low Road.
If 6 properties were added to the area this would increase traffic for both roads which would directly affect all the current householders. The Low Road is mainly a single track road and the traffic and noise would destroy the peace and tranquility of the existing cul de sac and the surrounding area.
The proposed site is on land which has not been farmed for a number of years so attracts insects, mammals and birds. The wildlife seen in the area includes deer, foxes, barn owls, bats as well as common garden birds but also visiting migrating birds.
Excavation
If the land is to be excavated before the site is developed, so as to lower the site to the same level as the existing properties, this would not resolve the issues of drainage, noise pollution, privacy affecting the current cul de sac and the properties on the Low Road. The work involved would be extensive, disruptive and costly.