A 43 home plan between Diss and Roydon set for approval

A bid to build 43 affordable homes on a 3.7-acre parcel of land between Roydon and Diss, is set to go before South Norfolk Council (SNC) next week. 

Ahead of the meeting, planning officials have recommended the scheme, which sits to the west of Denmark Lane, for approval, despite concerns from two parish councils.

This application runs in conjunction with another for four open market homes on what is effectively the same site’s north-western corner. The second application is not being determined at the meeting.

While Roydon and Diss council have welcomed new affordable houses both have objected to the scheme.

The field where the homes could be buit (Image: Google)

Roydon Parish Council argued that the site is too densely packed and could be dangerous for walkers and cyclists. 

They argue that local planning documents, which set out how to create acceptable developments in the area, say this scheme would “exceed the recommended density” of 25 homes for every 2.5 acres. 

Four locals have also written in to object to the plans.

While SNC planning officials acknowledged that the site was more dense than the local planning documents call for, they have argued the scheme should still be approved. 

They said that cutting homes to make the site less dense could make the proposals unviable. 

“In practical terms, it is considered that the relationship of the buildings does not result in a cramped layout with adequate private garden spaces and therefore it is considered that the proposed layout does not represent overdevelopment of the site,” they said.

Officials also said the council could not demonstrate that it has a five-year supply of land for housing and the benefit of providing homes was not outweighed by any harm.