I moved to Diss recently to find out months later that there's a proposed building development. It's somewhat disconcerting. The area has been grazing land for hundreds of years and the “…. only example of a detached landscape park within a town in Norfolk.” It's important that it remains so. It is described in the South Norfolk Local Plan as an “Important Local Open Space” and to be safeguarded as such. It has a wide array of wildlife and historic trees and shrubs. It is used for grazing cattle in the summer months too.
An “incentive” put forward by the planning agency is to allow public access to the undeveloped land. That would be crazy. Once a fallen branch from an ancient tree either caused injury, (or worse), or damage, I wager all the trees being felled within days as they would be a H&S Hazard. Whoever has custody of the public access areas would have responsibility for maintaining trees in appropriate condition so they would not run the risk of any accidents occurring.Wildlife would be affected.
Whilst I might agree there is a need for " ..... properties designed to cater for the needs of older people as well as people living with a disability" I do not consider there to be a need in this particular meadow.
The proposed development is sited in the northwest corner of the field and would have the maximum impact on the residents in Shelfanger Road and Sunnyside. On the plans I have seen, my own house, for example, would be immediately level with one of the bungalows, right against my back fence. That is totally unacceptable.
I object to the proposed development and any future plans for expansion. I object to any part of The Lawns being open to public access in any form.