'Working for the conservation and preservation of Thorpe's woodlands as a haven for wildlife and a green space for the local community'.


Wednesday 6 July 2016

Local Councillors Oppose Latest Development Proposals

Following on from the latest proposals by the developers Socially Conscious Capital to build 300 houses over Thorpe Woods the Friends have been contacted by Thorpe St Andrew Councillors who wanted to make clear their opposition to these plans.

Ian Mackie a Broadland Distrct Councillor and Mayor for Thorpe St Andrew said:

“Once again this is over-development and forms no part of the area action plan for approved sites. The plans for 300 houses would decimate the plantation. 

“I have opposed the plans previously and will continue to do so.


“Isn't it time these historic woodlands were given or sold to the public? This will be the third or forth attempt to irreparably damage this site of environmental significance.”


District and Town Councillor John Fisher underlined this opposition by issuing the following statement:

'The proposal site of Thorpe Woods is not identified as development land in the Area Action Plan which has undergone thorough consultation and comment. Major objections, over 2000, were received when the consultation for the Forward Plan went out for consultation, in fact responses to the Thorpe Woods site received more objections than any other parts of the plan, therefore I believe that development on this site is extremely unlikely at this time. The plan identifies suitable development sites up to 2026. Whilst I cannot speak for the whole Town Council, as current chairman of the planning committee I would expect the town council to continue their past policy of objecting to any development of Thorpe Woods. Whilst the proposal for 300 is reduced from the former proposals this development would still have a major impact upon the ecology of this important green lung on the edge of the built up area'.

The latest plans have also been condemned by The Norfolk Wildlife Trust who pointed out that the woods were a County Wildlife Site and that there were no examples of development being allowed on such a site in Norfolk.

The Friends together with local councilllors and conservation bodies such as the Norfolk Wildlife Trust oppose any plans for development in the woods.

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