Horstead housing project rejected over flooding concerns

The project, which would have seen five homes built off Frettenham Road in Horstead, was rejected by Broadland District Council (BDC) over a risk to the surrounding area. 

The homes were planned for Frettenham Road (Image: Google Maps)

"There is a medium/high risk of surface water flooding on Frettenham Road," planning officers at BDC said.

"No evidence has been submitted to adequately address this or demonstrate that the site is not at risk of flooding from surface water [or] ensure adequate drainage so as not to adversely affect surrounding land, property or highway."

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Officials had also raised concerns about it being out of character with the rest of the village and its location outside the "settlement limit".

Housing has been a contentious issue in Horstead over recent years, with locals and the parish council calling for new homes to encourage young people to stay in the area.

An artist's impression of the development (Image: Broadland District Council)

Earlier this year, a housing developer who had fought to build just two homes in the village saw his application rejected on the grounds that it would cause "significant and demonstrable harm" to the landscape.

This was despite the project being reduced from an initial five properties and receiving support from locals.