GNLP2121

As long term resident of 13 years both myself and my husband object to the proposed plans for new housing in Wortwell. We both feel that this will cause numerous issues:-
Added pressure on Schools and medical services.
Impact on village life.
Possible flood risk.
Issues of traffic increase through the village.
Damage to the current rural views.
Issue with amount of housing proposed could swamp the village.

It is not in the communities interest to develop this site.

In my opinion, if all or even part of the land was developed it would destroy the village of Wortwell due to it's size and the location.

The site is on land which lies higher than the surrounding land and properties so it would change the whole landscape. It is behind existing properties on both the Low Road and High Road so would mean building in the back gardens of a number of properties and due to the height of the land the existing properties would be overlooked.
The village of Wortwell is a small rural village surrounded by fields and water meadows like so many others but the scale of this site is such that it is not be in proportion to the size of the village.
To reduce the number of properties would not resolve some of the issues/concerns raised.
The land is higher so the run off to the surrounding lower lying land would be disastrous.
The Low Road is a narrow lane, wider in some parts, but could not cope with the additional traffic.
The impact on the local wildlife would be considerable given that the land has been used for crops for so long.

We all understand the need for additional housing but not at the cost of a village and the peace and tranquillity and way of life.

This large area suitable for over 300 houses, if built on, would represent an over development within a small village currently with a housing stock of 270. This would more than double the size of the village and is not in keeping with the rural nature of the area or with the current infrastructure. A significant part of the village is in the Waveney Valley, a river valley that is recognised by South Norfolk Council as having special landscape value. The proposed development would encroach into the river valley and therefore is unacceptable. In June 2018 a planning appeal inspector (APP/L2630/W/3193882) commented on the need to preserve the rural character of the village, in particular the small field west of Low Road because of the detrimental impact of development on the two listed buildings opposite.

This development is out of proportion to the size of the village that has very limited infrastructure

The village's character will significantly alter, it will put pressure on many different aspects of our village. To name but a few: traffic, highway safety, drainage, ecology flora and fauna. Also pressure on local infrastructure. There aren't enough services to meet demands of an added population, that could triple the amount of residents. Wortwell is chosen by many residents for its quietness, natural beauty and 'being a small village'. Thought has to be given to the new residents that would live in the new dwellings. Where will they work, get registered at a surgery or take their children to school?

We are highly against this proposal.
Any rain water running onto this site will run directly down into low road Wortwell which is already prone to flooding.
We do not agree with our village Wortwell being ruined just for a few to profit.

We would agree to any small development as a matter of progress for the village to expand slightly and various businesses and core centre to progress but no major developments.

We are writing to complain about the proposed mixed development site in Wortwell GNLP2121.
As residents in the village and also living very near the development, the idea of building possibly another 300-400 houses is outrageous and not practical in our small village.
There are a number of reasons this should be allowed to go ahead.
-Flooding issues
-Drainage issues
-More traffic
-Increase in houses would be double there is now
-Impact on environment
-Loss of local spaces
-would de-value our house prices
-spoil views over land (from our houses)
-very few services in village

This would spoil our village and our homes is this goes ahead!!

I am totally against the dreadful project to build an horrendous amount of houses over doubling the amount of our quiet country village which has no amenities to supply the volume of people. I have lived here for 86 years and Wortwell has always been a wonderful village, not a suitable place for such a large build to take place.

We wish to register our strong objection to the proposed mixed development GNLP2121 for Wortwell, This amount of housing has no supporting infrastructure. We totally concur with all the objections put forward by Wortwell Parish Council to such large development in rural area along the Waveney Valley.
A loss of valuable farmland when we are constantly being told that we need to be, as a nation, more self-sufficient and decrease the need for carbon foot printed imports.
A few houses along Wortwell High Road fronting the road and running along beside existing houses would seem a more balanced option.

My Family and I are very strongly against this development, it is my understanding that there is more than one proposal linked to 2121, we are not against small reasonably sized developments but rather the large-scale proposal that is in excess of 400 additional dwellings.
Below I will bullet point my reasoning as I know this letter does not need to be detailed, I will however start by mentioning a subject that I believe to be relevant.
My family and I moved to the beautiful village of Wortwell almost two years ago having resided for the previous ten in Queens Hills (QH) near Costessey. Queens Hills was/is a large scale development within the South Norfolk District Council (SNDC) area and is a prime example of why we don't want to be anywhere near a new large scale development, when we first moved to QH the developers painted an amazing picture of what a wonderful place it was going to be, there was going to be community hub in the form of a shopping area including a pub, small restaurants and several different shops! Not one of these things has ever presented itself in over a decade of continual and on-going development. There is a dedicated bus/taxi/emergency lane that has been in-situ for over a decade and never opened. I clearly remember the fight that had to be made to get the estate a 'post box' and feeling like a miracle had taken place when we got one. My point is simply this, I predict that if SNDC/GNDP move forwards with this proposal 2121 despite strong community opposition that it will be only a short period of time before the amazing promises start to be released, the services that will be bestowed upon the already settled community. I wont even for a minute believe any of it as I have experienced such fragile promises before, I am sure that other community members will be sold but I am happy to share my experiences with them at future community engagements.

Other Points for concern
* Proposal is far too extreme, it's likely to double the village size.
* Destruction of beautiful countryside in an area that holds a vantage point across the village and down into the valley
* Devaluation of all village property, especially those within view of the development or losing a pristine view so they can stare at a congested modern development.
* 400 more houses could mean 800 more cars, A143 could be ok but the High/Low road simply wouldn't cope and the access/egress at either end of the village entering the A143 would not be suitable
* Local schools have not got the space
* Local GP's can barely cope now and definitely could not absorb 800 to 1000 more patients
* Local Dentists would need to expand or new residents would be sent long distances
* Emergency services would need to consider a huge local population increase, Ambulance Response time to the rural area's are terrible without enormous population expansion.
* Can the very limit of the county boundary of Norfolk be correctly described as 'Greater Norwich' Norwich is about a 45-minute drive away?
* Hard to believe that there is local or semi-local employment to support such a large number of additional residents.
* It is my understanding that new developments need to ensure that there is a percentage of dwellings provided as 'affordable housing' when this was built opposite my previous house in QH made it almost impossible to sell my property and as such enormously devalued my house in comparison to other identical houses on the estate. And I have to be honest, Wortwell is unlikely to enjoy the rather large increase in 'affordable housing' as it increases the probability of undesirable neighbours, again I am talking from personal experience of developments in South Norfolk, I became friendly with the maintenance team associated with the 'Metropolitan Housing Association' as they were out every week or so removing large quantities of nappies from the drains. I also got to know some of our local Policing team, this is as they had asked me to report on the comings and goings of an address where a known drug dealer was residing. I am fully aware that not everyone in affordable housing is a drug dealer or a nappy flusher, but by introducing affordable housing to a small village such as Wortwell that the community will almost definitely become quickly aware of the increased crime, maybe not directly affecting them but simply increased Police activity, either way it will make this a far less pleasant village.
* On a map Wortwell is a fair distance from any major development's or towns, there a fantastic little villages etc but it astounds me that this is even a proposal for anything more than a 'few' houses, why not actually focus on what any sane person would describe as
'Greater Norwich' and not 'Rural Norfolk/Suffolk' surely there must be so many other preferable geographically located sites.

I hope that the reader of this can see that I am strongly against this, my village of Wortwell will not know what hit it if this goes ahead! The demographic will be shifted in such a way that our lovely village will be forever changed for the worse.

PLANNING APPLICATION NO
GNLP2121,GNLP0047,GNLP0057,GNLP0056,GNLP2036 & GLNPSL2006
One-line summary including what the application proposes, where it is (the site) and who is proposing it (the applicant):
Proposed erection of 412.5 houses in Wortwell by Greater Norwich Local Plan Team.
I am against the plans for new houses because Wortwell is a nice place with pleny of open space and its quite. I believe that if the new houses were to be built it would have a dire affect on village life and the residents that live here.I also object to the new builds because of the following:
1. The proposed site of 13.75 hectares would 412.5 houses. An increase of 1.53 times the current housing.
2. The newbuilds will over the existing house will destroy the character of the village.
3. The character of Wortwell is rural,generally older houses with 6 new house built within the last decade,agricultural and nice walks.
4. On a ratio of 1 to every 100 residents this proposal represents a ratio of 85:1 on this ratio.
In accordance with their own internal guidelines, Wortwell Parish Council only adheres to the relevant planning considerations.
Planning history of the village.
National and Local planning polices guidance.
Highway safty issuses, Traffic issues and car parking provisions.
Local Drainage issuse, local flooding issuse - impact of water run off onto houses located on the lower level than the proposed site.
Location as a rural village on the Waveney Vally on the border of Norfolk and Suffolk, an area of outstanding beauty, walks and freedom of movement, flood plans and grazing marshes.Dominance of a modern housing estate against the backdrop of the village with some houses dating back, in some cases before the 17th century.Impact on the enviroment. Impact on local and wider infrastructure and the church at redenhall.

There is a limited bus service that's not fit for purpose for working or school hours. No School, No shop, A two road system that meet in the centre of the village on a blind bend, On going problems with speeding and antisocial driving behaviour. Where the village is used it's like a rat run to avoid through traffic having to go on the bypass. An increase with in traffic would be considered dangerous. Medical and Dental services are overstretched in Harleston to the point that NO-ONE expects to see the GP appointment as well as the GP's Practice is deemed to be on of the worst in the uk. I would not like to see our village or surrounding countryside turned into a housing estate. Also there are Barn Owls nesting around Wortwell and the proposed housing will be on the Owls territory. As well as other wildlife which are seen.

My wife has lived in this village of Wortwell all her life and myself 42 years.
I can not imagine what would happen to the village if the building of over 300 houses with the village having no shop and the roads not being able to take extra transport. I hope the Council appreciate what we have got we want to keep it that way.

I want to register my objection to the proposed GNLP2121 development. The harm this development would do to our peaceful village is hard to put into words.
I depend on the network of footpaths and rights of way around the village for my own daily exercise and to walk my dog in fresh air and away from the hazards of traffic. We live here by choice because we choose the peace and quiet and closeness to nature over the convenience of local shops and other services. With 2121 you propose to overturn that and destroy our tranquillity.
How may extra cars would over 400 houses bring to Wortwell? What about the impact of all those car journeys on Redenhall?
In the last year the flood meadows have twice filled right up to the edge of the High Road and nearly reached the houses along Low Road. If this goes ahead you will be responsible for much faster rain water run off onto Low Road and flash flooding as well as increasing the most dangerous initial level of flood waters that have to drain along the Waveney.
There are already plenty of small plots left in the village that can be developed without wrecking what makes Wortwell such a special place.
One landowner's opportunity for wealth doesn't justify ruining the village for its inhabitants. For goodness sake please do not approve this proposal.

Dear Sir, I am writing to voice our opinions on on the proposed plan for a large development in the near or not near future to take place in the village of Wortwell.
Firstly we feel that this development is totally unsustainable with the lack of facilities currently in the village. We have no shops, school, practising doctors or dentists. Employment opportunities are virtually nil, coupled with the fact that the largest employer in the nearest town of Harleston which was 'Howard Rotavators' closed down several years ago, the site now filled with housing.
The second largest employer in Harleston which was Whartons Nurseries was also closed down and moved to Pulham South Green, and similarly the land was sold for housing, resulting in the medical practice in Harleston even more stretched,and struggling with trying to employ doctors which could not cope with the pressure of work due to increase in population.
The medical practice in Harleston is actually one of the worst performing practices in the country,sadly. Many local residents have tried changing their doctor to nearby Bungay in Suffolk, which has resulted in their medical practice being stretched to capacity also.
We have a very limited bus service in the village which falls extremely short of requirements by students and pensioners who do not drive, and we are still dogged by speeding and irresponsible drivers roaring through the village, usually at night time, worse in the summer when the motor bikes come out!. The junction with Tun beck Close and the High Road is especially treacherous, being on a blind bend, and with the obvious increase in traffic posed by further development, plus traffic from the community centre, would make for a very dangerous situation.
Wortwell is a village, not a town, and we would like it to remain that way.
We also have grave concerns regarding the ecology of the village, the flora and fauna, in many ways afforded us as a result of Waveney Valley Lakes, and Little Lakeland sites situated in the village.

I have lived at the above address in, Wortwell, Norfolk for over thirty years. I have only recently become aware of the proposed allocation of the above site being 13. 75 hectares of agricultural land located between the High Road, Wortwell and Low Road Wortwell (GNLP2121) for mixed use development within the local plan.

I strongly object to the proposed allocation and any subsequent development on this site on a number of grounds, fully support the official objection lodged by Wortwell Parish Council to this proposal and urge the County Council to reject the designation of this site for development in the light of the reasoned and justifiable grounds set out in our Parish Council's official objection.

The site is inappropriate for development. It would lead to the radical alteration in character of our rural village and to it effectively becoming a suburb of our nearest town, Harleston which also continues to see significant expansion, increasing pressure on already over­stretched local services). I understand that the site could accommodate over 400 new houses. I believe that Wortwell currently has 270 houses. Essentially, what would result from any such development is the building of a completely new village (or suburb of Harleston), swamping the existing rural community, damaging its character and the environment in which it is located, irreparably.

In addition and with particular reference to the impact on my own and my immediate neighbour's properties, it is clear from the plan that the development's southern boundary would come extremely close to the top of the high and steep bank behind my property and those of my neighbours. This bank is a natural landscape feature and comprises light, sandy soil, with the water meadows of the village on the opposite side of the narrow lane. From my own experience over the previous thirty-two years in which I have lived in my cottage, the bank has a tendency to erode and soil is often deposited at its base in my garden after heavy rainfall. I am extremely concerned that development of the site would result in a significant increase in water run-off, leading to the rapid further erosion of the bank along its length and to the movement of soil, water and instability, damaging my property and that of others along the road, a number of which are listed buildings.

The proposed relatively narrow gap between the top of the bank and the boundary of the development site would, naturally, become a walkway and the location of so many homes would increase the number of walkers along the top of the bank. This would have a significant impact upon the privacy currently enjoyed by my home (and those of others) and would also increase the erosion of the ground at the top of the steep bank.

In addition, I consider that the environmental impact of such a development would be significant. The site is currently agricultural land and this should not be considered appropriate for development before all brownfield and infill sites have been exhausted.

The site links with other agricultural land as you proceed away from the village towards Shotford Bridge and forms an important aspect of our village maintaining its rural character and connection with the surrounding wildlife. The site is located on higher ground and its visual impact on the valley would be immeasurable. The impact of so many new homes on this rural character, the environment and wildlife cannot be understated.

The size of the development site is completely disproportionate in scale to the existing community and its setting. I also consider that the marshes bordering the River Waveney would also be affected by the close proximity of, effectively, another village and its occupants. A significantly increased footfall over an important part of the river valley would damage the plants and wildlife which contribute to the biodiversity of the area and the county as a whole.

The village and surrounding infrastructure and services are already hard pressed. The village itself offers little by way of services (limited public transport, no shop, no school, no garage for fuel) and I fail to understand how the nearest town's (Harleston) medical practice, parking facilities and other services would be able to support such a number of new households. This is even more acute when considering the ongoing developments in Harleston and other villages in the area. Inevitably, the traffic generated by the development of the site will be significant. As the village's services are limited and there are minimal employment opportunities within the village, regular car journeys by each household from and to the site will be required. Any development would not be sustainable for these reasons. In addition, the junctions at each end of the village with the A 143 (particularly the T-junction) can be dangerous and the increase in traffic onto the main road will make these junctions more so.

I can only end my repeating my concern that the allocation of a site of this size and location for development could be contemplated, let alone seriously proposed. Once again, I cannot emphasise enough how strongly I object to the proposal. I completely endorse the official objection to the site proposal submitted by Wortwell Parish Council. The site should be retained as agricultural land and the village's rural character preserved.

I am writing in regard to the proposed developments here in Wortwell as outlined in GNLP 2121.
My wife and I have lived in the village for just about 35 years in two properties in the village, the present farm being the base of my business for twenty years. Compared to other villages in the area Wortwell, for some reason has no particular community spirit. Whether it is because we are close to Harleston I don't know, but we have no school or post office/shop. We do have a pub still, which is reasonably well supported, and we do have a large community centre, but its viability at the moment is unsure, due to lack of support, which is a great shame and disappointment to those who really do try hard to keep it going with events and functions.
For this reason, I am very keen that we do have some future development in the village. I have always been critical of SNDC for not supporting more small developments in the past. I see in Mid Suffolk, for instance small cul-de sacs with six or eight traditionally built houses built round the access road. Their design allows residents to inter-act with one-another as well as participating with the wider village. We do need this type of development in Wortwell. It brings in, hopefully, younger families, with children, and maybe with a younger outlook on village life.
So yes, I do approve of smaller developments, and the two sites immediately around the pub
(Wortwell Bell) would, if properly executed amount to some quite desirable development, but only if sympathetically designed.
The greatest asset Wortwell offers is its location and landscape. Situated on the northern bank of the Waveney valley the landscape is some of the finest in the whole of Norfolk, with wide vistas 360 degrees from anywhere in the parish. The view of the Waveney valley both up-stream and down­stream is a view to behold, any time of the year.
This brings me to the submission for a large development 2121 on 13. 75 Ha, right on the brow of the Waveney Valley.
It doesn't tick any boxes for any one. The development would totally destroy the natural landscape and would be seen for tens of miles from all quarters. Harleston to Homersfield, Starston to Fressingfield in Suffolk. The whole of the upper Waveney would be affected.

Taking that aside, the strain on our local services would be intolerable. For some years now, Harleston and district residents have suffered with a very poor GP practice. For various reasons, the Practice seems unable to recruit more Doctors and support staff, and because of this they offer a very poor service with ill or elderly people having to be interrogated by the front desk before they even get to a Doctor, and even then, it may be a week or so before they get a consultation.
The same goes for Dentists, ambulance, police, schools and all the other services that only a few years ago it would be normal to have a near instant service.
So, as planners, I suggest that you plan. Plan properly both new developments and the necessary infrastructure to support the influx of fresh new people. As this will not practically be possible, a large development like this proposed one should be thrown out in favour of a number of smaller sites.
For Wortwell, this development is not needed, not right, and in totally the wrong place.

GNLP 2121, proposed mixed development site

Wortwell is a quiet residential village of some 600 people.

It is in a rural area, most of which overlooks part of the Waveney Valley with uninterrupted views. Wildlife, flora and fauna is unique and this natural area supports many short and long distance footpaths, i.e., Angles Way etc. Why concrete it over?

Our nearest market town is Harleston, some 2 miles. Already the infrastructure is stretched, i.e, Doctors, Dentists, Schools etc, all due to over building. The other market town of Bungay, 5 miles, suffers the same problems. Older people already have problems with care. The bus services are few and far between. There is no shop, in fact one pub and one garage are the extent of public services. Small housing builds are acceptable if a proportion are for young people and are affordable - which probably would not happen anyway.

A large development on 13.75 hectares of land would be a disaster in every possible way. Why let developers ruin yet another beautiful and tranquil area with more concrete??

GNLP2121 - Proposed Mixed Development Site 13.75 hectares of land
I would like to make an objection to this site development based on the following: -
* Character of Wortwell Village
Wortwell is a predominantly rural, agricultural village with a mix of character buildings. Based on the formula of 30 houses per hectare the proposed site could accommodate approximately 412 new homes. This would overpower the existing 270 dwellings and therefore be detrimental to character
* Settlement Boundary
The proposed site sits outside the current settlement boundary and given its location could start to close the 'gap' between Wortwell, Redenhall and Harleston
* Traffic Generation and Highway Safety
The proposed site sits on a road which already has very poor sightlines for vehicles travelling from the direction of Harleston to Wortwell and with the potential additional traffic that housing could generate (based on a 2-car household i.e. 800 vehicles), approximately 1600 additional daily journeys, would only increase road safety issues in the area

Additional vehicles and daily car movements would inevitably impact the local roads which in parts are already single file traffic only with passing places i.e. Low Road. Most of Low Road also has no pedestrian pathways which would be a huge safety concern.
* Sustainability
There are limited bus services from Wortwell which do not support normal working or school hours.
There is no village shop or school to support this potential increase in residents. Walking distance to the nearest shopping facilities at Harleston would be about 2 miles which involves crossing the busy A143, a major trunk road for lorries etc. Access along Redenhall Road pathways into Harleston is particularly poor, unlit and unsafe for pedestrians.
* Landscape Flora and Fauna
River valleys and their settings, to quote your own document, ISA sections 2.3.10 and 2.3.12, are sensitive and pollution from waste water from this type of site could have a catastrophic and potentially irreversible impact on the River Waveney
* Drainage
Drainage along High Road close to the proposed site is already noticeably poor and would be adversely impacted from the run off from a housing development on this site

I object to these proposed plans for Wortwell High Road and Low Road.

Wortwell lies in the Waveney Valley - an area of natural outstanding beauty which all those living in the village treasure and we are very proud of our riverside community. It is a community that values the quality of rural life, the tranquillity of a rural life, space 'to be' and a sense of independence.

The addition of further development would not as you say 'protect and enhance the environment' but would go a long way in destroying it with all the additional needs in the practical sense - communication networks, roads, traffic, parking, drains - and remember too that this is an area within a flood risk zone. We should not be building here. No specifications were given as to numbers of properties or specific use which fills me with horror. In addition there would be all the additional infrastructure needed to support a larger community. This will no longer be a village with a village's pace of life.