The Joint Core Strategy (JCS) states, as an 'Other Village' very limited infill can occur without affecting the form and character of the village although settlements may be considered to deliver the smaller sites in the NPA allowance. It states that no such sites have been indentified in Swainsthorpe. The Ben Burgess proposal is not very limited infill but a large industrial development in a field in a tiny village. It would destroy the character of Swainsthorpe and the natural beauty of the landscape to the detriment of the local environment/Tas Valley Area.

The proposal states it will support local services, however, there are none in Swainsthorpe.

NPPF - Proposal does not reflect and retain local character - it would be a large, noisy industrial site in a tiny,rural village.

JCS - Proposal does not protect and enhance the individual character and culture of the area - development would destroy, not protect, rural green fields, harm wildlife and the countryside. Destroy views to Grade 2 listed church.

GNLP states it will maximise development on brownfield sites and protect valuable landscapes on greenfield sites. There are alternative brownfield/industrial sites available, for example, along the A47 or possibly Colman's site in Norwich.
Proposed development is situated in a dip in lowest part of the fields - surface water lies on the field during winter months/wet weather.
Loss of productive arable land - field has been farmed for generations.
Loss of green, open space enjoyed by many villagers for recreational purposes such as walking. Cycling and walking on the roads in Swainsthorpe can be dangerous due to limited pavements and traffic travelling at dangerous speeds along narrow, uneven roads with blind bends.
A140 is a main route for tourists and visitors to the South Norfolk area and this section of the A140 is attractive. Beautiful views across these fields from Church Road as well as the A140. The road from Harford roundabout looking across the fields towards Caistor St Edmund, past Dunston golf course and then through the wooded area is incredibly attractive - once past this area it would be disappointing to then ruin it with a huge industrial site rather than the current beautiful, natural landscape which, once destroyed by this development, can never be retrieved.

GNLP states the need to reduce environmental impact contributions to climate change and air pollution - locations need to reduce the need to travel. This proposal contradicts this. It will increase the need to travel by car/van for the high numbers of staff and customers due to poor public transport/convenience reasons. Volumes of delivery lorries and agricultural vehicles on the A140 will increase. As a consequence, this will increase pollution and contribute to poorer air quality (as well as generate noise and light pollution) and have an adverse impact environmentally and socially.

Highway safety - Increased traffic on A140 from this development, especially lorries and agricultural machinery, will create tailbacks and congestion and compromise road safety. Traffic from large housing developments in Long Stratton will add to this. It is already extremely difficult to turn right from Church Road onto the A140 during rush hour. I have to turn left onto the A140, which is almost as difficult, and swing round in the Caistor turning to then get back onto the A140 to travel to work.
To travel by public transport it is necessary to cross the A140 at some point. Even with an island on this road it does not feel safe standing in the middle of the A140 with lorries and cars thundering along past you.
It is also very dangerous at present to turn right from the A140 onto Church Road due to the excessive amount of traffic and narrowness of the turning lane. This can be extremely frightening especially when lorries are approaching in front of you and from behind. Any increase in traffic volumes, such as created by the Ben Burgess proposal, would make all of these situations even more dangerous.

Access for vehicles and staff during construction of the proposed site would cause a potential hazard on the A140.

The A140 is the main route for a high number of emergency response vehicles. Sirens can be heard many times throughout the day and any increase in traffic from the Ben Burgess site would delay these vehicles potentially putting lives at risk.