Plan to build at least 1400 new houses on land between Fir Covert Road and Reepham Road, Taverham. My views on the above are as follows;
i) Is there a need for all these new houses! A Massive house building programme is already underway in the greater NE/E Norwich quadrant. with new starts constantly becoming apparent. this 'dash to build' is presumably explained by the previous government:- broad brush estimates (guesses) regarding likely population growth in the Norwich area & resultant 'new build' housing needs. However these estimates must surely have been based on continued UK EU membership with consequent free movement of people. Now that we have left the EU, presumably free movement will cease - local population growth will be much reduced and the need for the number of new houses will be much less. Consequently this potential development land should once again, revert to its previous strategic reserve status only to be used after a fresh post Brexit analysis of likely local population growth has been completed.
(ii) Even if such a building programme is deemed essential after a new analysis; before the land is developed, the following action would need to be taken:-
(a) The NDR (Broadland Northway) WESTERN LINK must be completed first, as to expect the existing road network to cope with all the extra traffic generated (area & 500 vehicles daily) is unrealistic in terms of ease of movement throughout Taverham. In addition to lengthy queues at busy times, existing Taverham residents would be subject to a massive increase in air pollution and vehicular noise. This would make life extremely unhealthy and uncomfortable for local residents, especially those living along the many 'rat runs' throughout the estates. Completing the western link would be a major factor in removing the need for TIDAL traffic from N&E Norfolk to use these 'rat runs' in order to access the A47 & all across the Wensum Valley (partial completion of the NDR has only served to channel even more vehicles onto these roads that was previously the case.)
(b) Any development of this size (population 5000-6000) would need to provide adequate essential community facilities, particularly educational and medical centres. Although the plan has made provision for these in terms of bricks and mortar there appears to have been little consideration given as to exactly how a medical facility would be staffed with fully qualified personnel medical facilities in Taverham are already stretched and it is almost impossible to recruit new GP's due to a serious nationwide shortage (currently the NHS has 10,000 doctor & 43,000 nurse vacancies unfilled). unless this serious problem can be addressed FIRST, a development of this size would be irresponsible, even dangerous in terms of potential residents health & well being.