Recent Events in Thorpe Woods

Recently there have been a number of developments affecting Thorpe Woods.

The group Extinction Rebellion has held a number of meetings with the aim of preventing the development from taking place in the woods.

The Friends of Thorpe Woodlands (FOTW) and Extinction Rebellion (XR) are two very distinct groups.

FOTW was formed 10 years ago and has approximately 1000 local members.

The Friends welcome XR’s opposition to the development plans (#savethorpewoods) which would see 300 houses being built over a large area of local woodland.

Recent felling

We understand that the felling currently taking place in Thorpe Woods forms part of a long standing felling and replanting programme agreed by the owners with the Forestry Commission and is not part of the planned development work. That said, unless the owners (Thorpe & Felthorpe Trust) of the woods change their minds this damaging development will take place and hundreds of trees will be lost forever to be replaced by concrete and brick.

Jerome Mayhew

The Friends together with other interested groups are calling on Jerome Mayhew, the recently elected MP for Broadland and one of the Trustees and owners of Thorpe Woods, to reconsider their decision to build on this County Wildlife Site. As a member of the Conservative Environment Network, which exists to drive the green agenda in Westminster, we hope that he will listen to the strongly held views of local people and councillors and act to safeguard this woodland from destructive development.

Jerome Mayhew Conservative MP for Broadland https://www.jeromemayhew.org.uk/

Planning Inspectors Decision

This morning we received some very bad news regarding Thorpe Woods.

The planning inspectors decision has been published and unfortunately they have given consent to the application to build 300 houses over a large area of Racecourse Plantation.

The decision can be viewed by clicking on the planning inspectors link below.

The Friends will be consulting with Broadland District Council and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust about how best to respond to this shocking and very disappointing outcome.

Planning inspectors site

Final decision on future of Thorpe Woods due by the 30th January

Following the decision by Broadland District Council to turn down the application to build 300 houses over a large area of Thorpe Woods the developers, Socially Conscious Capital, appealed against the decision. As a consequence a public inquiry was held at the end of May 2018.

Since then we have been holding our breath for the planning inspectors decision, initially we thought that this may become available after a couple of months and then it was delayed until the 14th January.

As a consequence of ill health we now believe that the planning inspectors decision will be published on or before the 30th January. 

We shall publish the decision as soon as we become aware of it.

For more information about the inquiry and rest developments please use the links below:

Planning inspectors site

EDP - Wait goes on for decision over 300-home plan for treasured woodland site

Broadland District Council planning page

URGENT: Developers appeal against decision to refuse them planning permission

Last year The Friends of Thorpe Woodlands were pleased to hear that Broadland District Council had refused planning permission for the highly damaging plans being put forward by the developers Socially Conscious Capital to build 300 houses over a large area of this important County Wildlife Site.

In the last few days we have been informed by the council that the developer has appealed against this decision, once again demonstrating how they are not interested in the views of local people or their councillors.

The appeal will be heard by the Planning Inspector at a public inquiry.

The council continues to oppose this application as do conservation bodies such as the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

As someone who cares about these woods and the wildlife that relies upon them you have an opportunity between now and the 10th January to send your comments to the Planning Inspector

Details of the developers appeal can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?Caseid=3188235&CoID=2098689

How to oppose the appeal

If you would like to make a comment opposing the plans you can either write to the planning inspector or send your comments via their online portal which can be accessed by clicking on the following link and follow the instructions, identifying yourself as an interested party:

https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?caseid=3188235

If you would like to send a letter to the inspector you should include your name and address; the Planning Inspectorate appeal reference number which is APP/K2610/W/17/3188235 and the address of the appeal site which is:

Racecourse Plantations, Plumstead Road East, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, NR7 9LW

and say ‘I am against the appeal proposals’ and explain your own reasons, this may include:

• The range and types of wildlife that live there
• The key part that it plays as part of the environmental strategy for the entire area
• That there has been large scale local opposition to the plans for many years
• That Thorpe Woods is the largest area of woodland in Greater Norwich
• That it is recognised as an important County Wildlife Site
• That it should be considered as a key part of the Green Infrastructure  Strategy for the whole area and should not be looked at in isolation.
• That its importance as green infrastructure will only increase as development progresses
• That the area of woodland at threat is larger than the majority of CWS’s in Norfolk

Use black ink If possible and please send 3 copies.

Copies of your representation will be sent to the appellant, to any statutory parties and to the local planning authority.

Please send your letter to:

The Planning Inspectorate

Temple Quay House

2 The Square

Temple Quay

Bristol

BS1 6PN

Your comments can make a big difference so please help us to continue to protect these woods by making clear to the planning inspector that you oppose any development in Racecourse and Belmore plantations.

Thank you and happy New Year.

Kensington & Chelsea Deputy council leader Rock Feilding-Mellen who managed Grenfell Tower refurbishment is director of firm looking to build 300 homes on the outskirts of Norwich

Kensington and Chelsea Deputy council leader Rock Feilding-Mellen who managed Grenfell Tower refurbishment has been identified in the EDP as the owner of Socially Concious Capital, the development firm that has been trying to develop an unwanted housing development in the middle of Thorpe Woods.

Mellen has repeatedly ignored the view of local people and councillors whilst promoting his plans to build a highly damaging housing estate in the middle of a much loved County Wildlife Site situated in Thorpe St Andrew on the edge if Norwich.

Click on the link below to read the article in the EDP:

EDP Article

Broadland District Council refuses latest planning application

Broadland District Council has published its refusal of the latest planning application to build a housing development over a large area of Thorpe Woods.

The woods are a County Wildlife Site and fall outside of the area identified by the council as being suitable for development.

The full decision can be viewed by using the following link:

https://secure.broadland.gov.uk/MVM.DMS/Planning%20Application/702000/702696/20161896%20Decision.pdf

The property developers Socially Concious Capital have made no comment on the refusal or on whether they plan to appeal against it.

Creating Public Footpaths in Thorpe Woods – Can you help

The Friends are currently working with Thorpe St Andrew Town Council with the aim of creating a series of new public footpaths through Thorpe Woods.

Initially we need to build up evidence that the routes have been used frequently over a period of time.

We have recently contacted many of our members and provided them with the necessary forms for them to complete and return to us.

The four routes we are hoping to create run between:

•             Woodside Road to Plumstead Road East or Plumstead Road East to Woodside Road

•             South Hill Road to Plumstead Road East or Plumstead Road East to South Hill Road

•             South Hill Road to Pound Lane or Pound Lane to South Hill Road

•             Greenborough Road to Plumstead Road East or Plumstead Road East to Greenborough Road

If you regularly walk in Thorpe Woods and would like to help us to try and create these public footpaths through both Belmore and Racecourse Plantations please contact us at :

lornacbeckett@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you