Village should 'make the best' of 3,900 new homes

Villagers should try to get the "best we can" out of a housing development which will dramatically increase the local population, a councillor has said.

Broadland district councillors approved plans to build 3,850 properties in Rackheath, north-east of Norwich, at a meeting on Wednesday.

It is predicted to increase the village population from 2,000 to 11,000 people.

Fran Whymark said he ultimately did not want the development but that people had to "make the best of what you've got".

The Conservative district councillor, who has lived in the village for 24 years, said the project had been on the cards since 2007.

"It's something we have known to be coming for a long time but when it comes, it hits you, the realisation that you're going to have all of these houses," said Whymark.

"I don't want this, but let's get the best we can out of it and I think that's many people's point of view realistically."

Taylor Wimpey first put forward its proposals in 2022 and Rachel Anderson, from the developer, described it as a "high-quality" mix of housing.

The homes will effectively create a new town linking Rackheath with Wroxham and Salhouse.

There will also be two primary schools, a secondary school, leisure centre and two shopping precincts.

The planning committee at Broadland District Council unanimously voted to give permission, although they had been advised that refusing the application would be difficult to defend on appeal because of a need for new homes.

Councillors said they wanted to see infrastructure built, such as road connections, before all the homes were completed.

Whymark agreed there was a need for housing.

"You have to take the opportunity and make the best of what you've got. I really think we can push and push for this infrastructure," he said.

"I love living here and I hope I can help shape it in the years ahead."

Wroxham Parish Council chairman Peter Mantle accepted homes were needed, but questioned "where are these people going to work?".

Mantle said Wroxham's narrow bridge over the River Bure already caused traffic congestion at peak times.

"The level of cars during high season could tailback from the river bridge for a mile or two miles," he said.

"Adding traffic to that, coming in and out of the development, is only going to add to the problem."

He recalled talk of a bypass being built around Wroxham 30 years ago, but said the chance of that happening now was "fairly remote".

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