Part of North Walsham development site to be fenced off

Woodbridge-based developer Hopkins Homes has said it would fence off the area next to North Walsham Garden Centre in Nursery Drive due to a “significant amount of debris” there.

Jonathan Lieberman, Hopkins’ head of planning, said: “As a responsible local developer and landowner we want to make sure that people are not putting themselves at risk, and as a precaution, we will be installing a fence to prevent any accidents or injuries from occurring.

“We are completing a number of biodiversity surveys to support our planning application, which we expect will be heard by the planning committee later this year.

“We want to reassure the local community that the fences are only being installed for public safety reasons.”

The site in North Walsham's southern outskirts earmarked for the new development. (Image: Planning documents)

The 16.2 hectare site, which wraps around the garden centre and includes fields to its north and south, was earmarked for development in North Norfolk District Council's (NNDC) local plan in May 2019.

After Hopkins came forward with its plans, a campaign was launched to save the scrubland part of the site over concerns for the wildlife which use it. 

A petition called ‘Save Nursery Drive Woods, North Walsham’ was started on the website 38 Degrees and was signed by more than 730 people. 

And last year, members of North Norfolk District Council's development committee voted to uphold a tree preservation order in place on the site. 

Hopkins’ plans are for 343 homes - including 53 ‘affordable’ ones- a care home for the elderly and seven plots for self-build homes. 

The scheme would also include a community orchard, allotments and play areas.

More than 20 objections have been lodged against the plans on NNDC’s planning portal, where they can be found by searching for PF/22/1596.