AAG Chair Speaks on Radio Norfolk to Criticise Flagship
Town Councillor and Abbey Action Group Chair Terry Land this morning spoke honestly about Flagship Housing Association plans to “re-generate” the estate.
Speaking to Kirsteen Thorne, Land was dismissive of claims the developer are taking care over their Planning Application.
Land said: “As ever, this is a double-edged sword. Plans should have been submitted properly in the first place. Residents are anxious, uncertain and angry.
He added: “The first thing I would do is challenge the Flagship narrative that they are “waiting” for Breckland District Council to process their Planning Application. I think my record as a Breckland Councillor would suggest I’m not above criticising Breckland when appropriate – but in this case it’s pretty obvious the delay is down to Flagship attempted to cobble together something better than the Outline Planning application that has attracted criticism from a number of agencies. Not to mention something like 170 objection letters from residents and an exceptional submission from Thetford Town Council whom I sit on. Meanwhile, residents will have to endure further anxiety and uncertainty as the application continues to be pushed back.”
Quizzed on Flagship claims to be consulting with residents via an ITLA, Land added: “One of the biggest issues facing Flagship and it’s one I never tire of reminding them is that of trust. Residents see years of managed decline across the estate and are dubious about Flagship’s motives. Everybody is aware the Independent Tenants and Landlord’s Association is managed by Diss and Thetford CAB but financed by Flagship. My hope is that it will provide a useful service – but expectations among residents are already low. They see it as a tick box exercise in consultation.”
Finally, Land was challenged on the Labour government’s plans to build 900 houses a year in Breckland alone.
Land said: “I completely understand concerns in this area as there is a huge demand for additional housing. But that doesn’t mean we have to accept poor quality Planning Applications. We need the right type of homes in the right places… particularly one and two bedroom dwellings at affordable cost. We also need to protect green spaces wherever possible. Plus developments must be accompanied by the proper infrastructure, in this instance it’s noticeable the Abbey estate proposals do not allow for any Section 106 contributions that would provide infrastructure – and there’s no clear plan to provide any of the infrastructure required.”