The site would provide for a residential development of between 40 - 50 dwellings (20 dph - 25 dph) including both market and affordable housing to meet the local housing need. The site represents a logical continuation of the village eastwards along Rectory Road up to a natural edge at Rectory Lane.

Benefits

A development of this scale would not only make a significant contribution towards housing supply but also provide for affordable housing, a mix of house types, size and tenure, and a range of 2, 3 4 and 5 bedroom dwellings.
The proposed development of this scale would provide significant social and economic benefits to the village, surrounding community and local businesses through supporting the local services and facilities. Support and increased demand for places at the Dickleburgh Primary School, and increased household spend in the village at the Dickleburgh Stores and post office, fish and chip shop and Crown public house. Increased demand for bus services through the village would assist in their ongoing viability and sustainability. Subsequent economic multiplier effects of additional household spend being recirculated through the local economy on other services and facilities, for maintenance, building, gardening, childcare, cleaning. The generation of labour in the short term through construction and in the longer term through generating additional need for services in the area, builders, plumbers, gardeners childminders etc. Socially the proposals would provide for increased housing supply, and offer a mix of type, size and tenure of dwellings addressing the local need for housing.

In terms of access, there is currently a field access to the site from Rectory Lane in the southeast corner of the site. The site could be accessed by a new access points directly on to Rectory Road that bounds the site along its northern boundary. This section of Rectory Road is located in a 30 mph restricted zone and accesses in these indicative locations would provide adequate visibility east and west. A small footpath extension of approximately 50 metres would link the site to the footpath located on the north side of Rectory Road which finishes just short of the site. This footpath continues unbroken into the village centre to the west providing pedestrian access to the facilities and amenities in the village including shop and post office, primary school, village hall, playing area and recreation field.

The site is not located within Flood Zones 2 and 3 which are a constraint on other sites put forward. The site is also indicated as being at very low risk of surface water flooding as identified on the Environment Agency flood risk maps. A drain runs along the eastern boundary along Rectory Lane.

The site does not contain and is not within any statutory or non-statutorily protected sites. Nor does the site contain any priority habitats. The site is also not adjacent to or within proximity of or risk zone of any statutorily and non-statutorily protected sites.

The site does not include any designated or undesignated heritage assets nor are there any heritage assets adjacent to the site. The nearest listed building is the grade II listed Rectory Farmhouse located in excess of 130 metres to the west, along Rectory Road. Given the separation distance and intervening built form and vegetation, it is not considered that development on the site would cause any significant impacts on important views or the setting of these listed building.

Otherwise the site is a flat and open agricultural field. Not a constraint on development. The site is an open field with no known stability issues. The site has historically been used for agriculture as open pasture/grazing land and therefore no known contamination issues.

The site is in the full ownership and control of the applicants. There are no known legal, viability, environmental or technical constraints and obstacles that cannot be overcome. The land is therefore available and ready to commence in the short term.