I am concerned about the proposal to build houses on this area of land because of the strain it will put on the roads and the facilities in Hellesdon. I understand that these houses once built will be classed as Horsford but because of the NDR Broadland Northway being between them and Horsford I cannot imagine the residents will use the facilities of their designated parish. The facilities such as doctor's surgery and schools in Hellesdon are already oversubscribed and with the development on the Royal Norwich Golf course just beginning things will not improve.
This development will mean that Hellesdon will lose even more open space. As a parish Hellesdon is sadly lacking in open green space to the extent that the parish council have to class muddy verges along the sides of some streets as green space when putting forward their future plans. Once you have built on green space you can never get it back. The wooded areas on the sides of Reepham road provide a habitat for wildlife and plants that are essential for providing oxygen and drainage.
A few years ago an application to site a burial ground on this side of the Reepham Road was turned down as it was deemed that the road infrastructure would not be able to cope with the traffic it would generate. A housing estate will generate more traffic which will use the roads more regularly. Since the opening of the NDR Broadland Northway the Reepham road has had increased traffic follow particular at 8am and 5pm rush hour times, when it can take up to 5 minutes before you can safely cross the road by the Doctor's surgery, or join the road from Drayton Wood Road.