‘It’s madness’ - plans for nearly 100 houses next to nursing home slammed
Walcot Rise in Diss where 94 homes could be built. Picture: Google - Credit: Archant
Plans to build almost 100 homes on the edge of a Norfolk town have been criticised by families due to its proximity to a nursing home for the elderly and terminally ill.
The Frenze Hall Lane development is being constructed. Picture: Sabrina Johnson - Credit: Archant
A number of objections have been put to plans to build up to 94 homes on land north of Walcot Rise in Diss.
The application for outline planning permission has been made by AAH Planning Consultants on behalf of Land Allocations Ltd to South Norfolk Council.
But concerns have been raised over the proximity to Walcot Hall Nursing Home.
Christine King, of Falcon Avenue, said: "My main objection is that it's next to, and behind, a nursing home.
"There are a lot of very poorly people in Walcott Hall, some of them dying.
"My mother spent her last days and died in there. When I was looking for a suitable nursing home for her, if any one that I visited had been near a building site or proposed development no way I would have picked it."
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Alan Thomas said: "This development would be in close proximity to a nursing home for the terminally ill and would result in unnecessary upset by way of noise."
Barry Watson added: "It would be madness to give planning permission for another 94 dwellings on green belt land next to a school and old people's home."
But the planning statement, available on South Norfolk Council's website, says the development would complement and enhance the local area.
It says: "The proposed development would constitute sustainable development in a sustainable location that respects the existing character of the settlement.
"It can be seen that this proposal will offer a quality development, contributing to a mix of housing stock within the vicinity in a manner that would complement and enhance the character and setting of the local area, whilst remaining compatible with the surrounding land uses."
Traffic is also an issue with for people living in the area, who say that at peak times the town can become gridlocked at Victoria Road and Park Road as well as on-going construction on Frenze Road bringing lorries into the town.
The development would see a single access road from Walcot Road.
Mr Watson added: "The town can not take any more homes without major improvements to the roads and infrastructure."
AAH Planning Consultants have been contacted for comment.
