Site Proposals document

I object to this proposal as a resident of Claxton (not on behalf of the Parish Council). It proposes an 8-house development in the middle of Grade 2 agricultural land across from a residential care home. There are no other buildings on that side of Church Lane, a narrow country track unsuitable for HGVs and with no space for traffic or pedestrians to pass. It would ruin the outlook completely. I understand there are certain protected species in this location but do not have the details.

This objection is from Claxton Parish Council following their meeting this week. The site is well outside any designated development areas in the village which follow The Street. This is an elevated greenfield site on higher grade agricultural land, with poor access to services, on a narrow single lane country road in an area regularly affected by extensive flooding. Large agricultural vehicles use Church Lane and the surrounding roads regularly and any further development would create an unwelcome increase in traffic. The Settlement Summary also states that there is a designated species recorded at this site.

The parish of Claxton would be adversely affected by any development at this location. There is a major risk of further severe flooding given the likely run-off from 200 houses on an elevated site. The increase in traffic would heighten the risk to residents who already have to cope with excessive speeding between New Inn Hill and The Street in Claxton, and would likely increase the congestion on very narrow roads which already get more than their share of large agricultural and commercial vehicles.

The proposed site is outside the Rockland development boundary. The only possible site access would be at the top of New Inn Hill, but bends, the hill and poor sight lines means this would present an unacceptable level of risk of traffic-related incidents. Services (surgery and school) could not cope with such an increase in population. The minor C road is also National Cycle Route 1 and an estimated 300+ vehicles from 200 homes would severely affect passing cyclists, walkers and tourists alike. Much of The Street in Rockland is already taken up with on-street semi-permanent parking without the increased congestion any such development would produce. The site borders The Broads National Park, with SSSI and County Wildlife Sites nearby. The impact of 200 homes would be hugely detrimental to this environmentally important landscape.