By Geoff Fisher Michael Pender-Cudlip (School sports hall has costs as well as benefits, 10 July 2020) is right about the cost of the proposed new sports hall to Reepham residents.
It seems we have been “sold down the river” by the plans for this being submitted during lockdown: residents deserve to have a proper consultation prior to planning approval being given.
There are many concerns about the size of this development and the potential chaos it will cause to residents in the area of Broomhill Lane, School Road and Whitwell Road, as well as adjoining roads.
The possible weight of increased traffic will cause enormous congestion at certain times of day. It is already an area to be avoided during the morning and afternoon, when pupils are arriving and leaving the high school. There will be the added danger to primary school pupils on School Road.
And how Reepham can possibly absorb 141 new dwellings is impossible to imagine.
The fact that only 20% of these homes will be “affordable” instead of the earlier allocated 30% for 120 dwellings means that Reepham residents are footing the bill and being subjected to environmental damage so the high school can have a new sports hall. This is hardly a “necessity” and is a high price to pay for Reepham.
We certainly need more housing, but not four-bedroom, highly priced properties. We also need environmentally friendly properties with solar panels, wind turbines, double glazing and good insulation. Will Lovells be building such properties?
Reepham is a unique, community friendly, small town. The roads and the Market Place are not well placed for widening or “improving”.
A development of the size of that proposed off Broomhill Lane has the potential to ruin the uniqueness we currently enjoy.
Brenda R Palmer, Chapel Close, Reepham
Geoff Fisher