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Green Housing Scheme Rejected

Posted: 08/01/2006

A plan for radical environmentally-friendly homes has been turned down despite praise for the scheme. The 60 homes in Halesworth, Norfolk, would have banned car ownership, used energy from the sun and wind, encouraged cycling and helped first-time buyers get on the housing ladder. It would have been one of the most radical green housing schemes in the region. There is only one other such development of its size in the country.

But Waveney councillors rejected it because the land, off Saxons Way, is a greenfield site which is not in the local development plan. Chief planning officer Tom Woolley said that allowing the development could lead to intervention from ministers and a public inquiry. "I would need to refer any vote of approval to Government Office to review the decision. They could say: 'This is a very significant development in Halesworth, it is on greenfield land, what are Waveney playing at? And they could call a public inquiry."

Councillors lined up to praise the principles of the scheme but criticised the location. Morris Rose, chairman of the rural area planning committee, said at Wednesday's meeting: "It does seem that this is a very commendable scheme, but it is not in the local plan." Paddy Flegg added: "I think it is a brilliant scheme but I am not sure this is the right place and the right time."

Applicant Gill Catchpole, who owns the land, said after the meeting: "The local people who I have spoken to are very much in favour, especially the 20-35 age group. It is very disappointing that councillors have turned it down."

Southwold architect John Bennett, who has drawn up the plans, said: "It is just very disappointing. I thought they would be more courageous and back it because of the support the scheme has gained. We will certainly go on fighting for it because I think it is an important thing. There is an urgency about these ideas and somehow the bureaucracy has to be overcome."

Mr Woolley suggested that the application could be resubmitted in a year's time, when the site might have been included in the next local development plan. But Mr Bennett said he thought it would be three years before the next local development plan was finished. He told the meeting that there was a need for affordable homes and that rising fuel costs made low-energy homes especially important.

Sarah Brealey / Eastern Daily Press  
 

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