Locals protest the building of five four-bedroom houses on the site of a former POW camp, citing concerns about traffic and environment
The land is special because of its history. Catton Camp was there during World War II. It opened in 1946. People there worked in agriculture.
Locals worry about more noise. They also think it will hurt the area. They are concerned about wildlife too.
Ricky Williams lives there. He said the area doesn’t need big homes. There are empty houses already, he noted. He thinks the new homes will cost too much and don’t fit in with the village.
He says the road is dangerous. Cars go fast around a bend there, and seeing traffic is hard. It’s where they want to build. He spoke about the road’s restricted view.
Parking is already a problem, he stated. People park near the dangerous bend now. More parking is needed, he believes, and the plans don’t fix this issue. Flooding could get worse, he warned. Concrete and tarmac cover the ground, increasing flood risk for nearby homes. He worries this harms mental health.
Peter Osborne also lives there. He asked how big trucks will get there because the passageway isn’t wide enough for vehicle access.
Robert Philipson suggested no objection to the plan. Valeria Dunn agreed with him, stating it fits the local plan.
The council will share their concerns with the county. They worry about access to homes, prioritize smaller houses in the local plan, and have concerns regarding parking, drainage and ecological impact, as well as concerns regarding neighbors.
Bill Edgar first reported this story. He wrote about it on February 22, 2020.