Village homes to go ahead despite traffic concerns

A development of 446 homes in a seaside village have been approved, despite objections from residents, the parish council and local MP.

Repton Property Developments said the properties and a 70-bed care home were "much needed" in Hopton-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

About 70 formal objections included concern about the impact of increased traffic on an "incredibly congested area".

On Thursday, Great Yarmouth borough councillors went along with a planning report which recommended the scheme for approval.

The site, which is currently farmland owned by the county council, is close to the Beacon Park roundabout at the edge of Gorleston-on-Sea.

Residents had suggested an additional road was needed as Links Road was the only entrance and exit for the estate.

Paul Wells, Conservative councillor for Gorleston, said the homes plan was "not safe" on highway grounds, while Labour councillor for Central and Northgate, Jade Martin, said it was "a lot of pressure" on one road.

But Ivan Murray-Smith, Conservative member for Lothingland, said that despite agreeing with the concerns over traffic, he could not "see any reasons to disagree with the officers' recommendation" of approval.

Seven councillors voted in favour, two against and two abstained.

Tempers flared in the chamber when the leader of Great Yarmouth First, Jon Wedon, criticised councillors for supporting the scheme.

He voiced his frustration at government housing targets, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The councillor for Caister South - who is not a member of the planning committee - said he was speaking in his role as the office manager for Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe.

He was warned by committee chairman Gary Boyd that the meeting was "not a political platform" and his remarks were "not adhering" to rules.

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