Objections to Flagship Grow Following Meeting

Residents met once again at the Abbey Centre on Monday, 5th August to discuss updates and further actions moving forward.

The meeting was again well attended with an active and engaged audience. Guests included Terry Jermy MP, housing expert Lorraine Douglas and Independent Breckland District Councillor Roger Atterwill.

Abbey Action Group Chair Terry Land led proceedings by highlighting the work going on behind the scenes.

130 bat boxes have been installed across the estate, concentrating on the “Phase One” streets and brilliantly coordinated by Kelly Estañol.

He also paid tribute to those who have lodged objection letters with Breckland, which now number over 170 – a strong number.

Paul Moseley of the BBC has been in touch and is very interested in highlighting our case on television.

Further good press was seen in the Eastern Daily Press with stories featuring both Jermy and Land, regarding the Chair of Breckland Planning, Nigel Wilkin’s unilateral decision to abandon previous assurances that any planning meeting would be held in Thetford, a move that now looks likely to be overturned.

Happily, Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sarah Taylor has also expressed consternation at Wilkin’s move.

Douglas then took centre stage and made the following points:

·         The history of Flagship has been one of managed decline

·         There is a significant flooding risk across the site

·         The HSE have come out against the density of houses – which are already above required limits.

·         The noise impact assessment will be sub optimal.

·         Pilings through chalk will need to be deep, meaning Anglian Water are likely to be unhappy.

·         Natural England have not been properly consulted and will likely put in a holding objection.

·         Breckland Council have a statutory duty to rehouse everybody made homeless by the development, which will be a high proportion of all renters.

·         There is likelihood of a Human Rights Act Article 8 challenge that the detriment to the local community will be greater than any potential benefit.

Jermy then spoke about the legal advice coming from Thetford Town Council which has been arranged.

The MP also paid tribute to residents who have come forward and by doing so challenged the perception that the estate is run down.

He suggested a community event during half-term in October, where residents come together to write more letters, design banners for the planning meeting and share food.

There followed the usual question and answer session with a good selection of informed and relevant points made by residents across the room.