Infrastructure concerns raised over 85 Loddon homes bid

Developers are hoping to build 85 homes on arable land north of Beccles Road in Loddon, under plans submitted to South Norfolk Council.

If passed the scheme, submitted by M Scott Properties, would sit next to a 180 property development that was approved in July. 

But people in Loddon and the town's council have lodged objections to the 85 homes plans.

Loddon Town Council says Loddon is a modest heritage town with a large conservation area and a plethora of listed buildings which needs to be protected to "ensure it retains its identity".

About a dozen people in the town have listed concerns, including how it will impact on Loddon's existing infrastructure and how it will be able to cope.

Chet Valley Medical Practice in Loddon after it was newly built. Photo: Chet Valley Medical Practice (Image: Chet Valley Medical Practice)READ MORE: Anger on plush new housing estate in Loddon where roads are 'like surface of the moon'

Someone in Hillcrest said: "The local facilities in Loddon and Chedgrave are already over-stretched, and if approved this application will mean a total overhaul of the local infrastructure.

"With 180 homes approved close to this site, plus another 70 in Chedgrave, where will the people who purchase these properties be able to send their children to school, given that all the local schools are over-subscribed?

"The health centre has too many patients for the number of doctors located there."

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While another person who lives on Norton Road had concerns the development would have on the wildlife.

River Chet at Loddon by Ruth Grindrod (Image: Ruth Grindrod)They said: "Loddon and Chedgrave has already been overdeveloped.

"There will be major disturbance to the home of local nature such as badgers, bats and birds including the red kites we now see regularly."

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These plans and the ones approved in July would dramatically increase the population of the town, which had 2,246 people living in the area in 2021. 

Loddon pictured from the sky on Easter bank holiday Monday in heavy snow 2008 (Image: Mike Page)If all the homes have two people living in them, they will add 530 people to Loddon - a 23.5pc increase. 

The latest plans are an “outline application”, with further the finer details, such as appearance, landscaping and layout, coming in a future bid. 

The site, which is currently used as farmland, is 9.3 acres in size but around two acres would be used as open space including a children’s play area.