Uproar in Larling over plans for nearly 2,000 new homes

Locals in Larling argue the area, which does not have mains sewage, is wildly unsuited to a development of such a scale.

The project would effectively turn it from one of Norfolk's smallest villages to one of its largest - or create a new village altogether on its outskirts.

Larling, close to the A11 between Thetford and Attleborough, has been a late addition to Breckland Council's local plan, which sets out where new homes can be built over the next two decades.

It is one of only three locations in the region which have been identified for large-scale development.

Barkers Farm, where up to 1,900 homes could be built (Image: Denise Bradley)

However, it is very different in character to the other two: Dereham, where up to 2,500 homes could be built on brownfield sites to allow the town to grow further; and Swanton Morley, where a redundant army base is due to be converted into a major new housing estate.

Larling's addition to the plan comes after another proposal - for a new 'Railway Town' on a former rail line between Dereham and Fakenham - was removed following a huge outcry during an earlier round of consultation.

Since then, however, Labour has come to power to increase the rate of housebuilding and remove barriers in the planning system to allow large-scale developments to go ahead.

Locals, though, say they will continue to resist the plans.

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WHAT IS PROPOSED?

Breckland Council has identified Barkers Farm in Larling as a potential site for a new mixed-use development of around 1,900 new homes along with employment and community infrastructure.

This could include new local shops, a school and GP surgery as well as improved water and power supply and broadband.

However, the proposals are still in the early stages and there is little detail known about how exactly the development would look.

The Barkers Farm site in Larling (Image: Denise Bradley)

WHY IS LARLING IN THE MIX?

The 163-acre site, to the north of the A11, was put forward by the Lewin family as part of Breckland Council's call for potential development sites in 2022.

The land was selected as one of three options for large-scale expansion in a public consultation last month - resulting in huge backlash from locals with some 200 objections already lodged with the council. 

Nick Lewin said the family were aware that local people were "up in arms" over the proposals but thought they were being unfairly painted in a bad light.

He added: "I think most people would have done the same thing if presented with the opportunity - and they're lying if they say they wouldn't.

"We did this based on the poor state of farming at the moment. It doesn't look like there's a light at the end of that tunnel and we were offered such good value for the land, we had to take it."

Mr Lewin and his father, Steve, said they expected the development would not be an extension of Larling but a new village altogether - complete with a primary school and GP surgery. 

Father and son Steve Lewin (left) and Nick Lewin (right) (Image: Denise Bradley)

WHAT DO LOCALS SAY?

The village is located in the so-called A11 corridor, which has been earmarked for economic growth opportunities.

However, Jan Scarlett, a local woman, said the development would be "unsustainable" in a rural area home to just a few hundred people. 

She added: "We're a tiny community and people live here because they like the hermit life and solitude.

"Larling is a really special place and it won't be the same if this goes ahead. I don't see how these people would be incorporated into the village - it would be us and them."

Jan Scarlett at Larling (Image: Denise Bradley)

Andrew Stammers, owner of the only pub in Larling, the Angel Inn, said he did not think the new housing would be good for business.

He said: "People who have just bought a new house aren't going to have the money to spend here anyway - we get enough support from the village as things stand.

"We don't want all these houses built. People living here struggle to get a doctors appointment even now and the nearby schools are full.

"It's not going to help anyone."

Andrew Stammers, owner of the Angel Inn (Image: Denise Bradley)

Rob Scott, who moved to the village seven years ago, added: "We spent months looking for a place to retire and chose this place for what it is. There's no shops, there's one pub and nothing else.

"We came here to do nothing and now our freedom of choice has been stolen."

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Rob Scott and Joanna Hutnik, who moved to Larling in their retirement (Image: Denise Bradley)

However, there are some who look on the proposals more favourably. 

Laura Walker, who lives next to Barkers Farm and has a family connection to the Lewins, said: "Ideally it wouldn't happen but nothing I say or do is going to change that. It might have its benefits - I could get some new mates or even a shop.

"They've got to build these houses somewhere and it's always going to upset someone."

Laura Walker, who lives next to Barkers Farm (Image: Denise Bradley)

Also objecting is the parish council of neighbouring East Harling, which states that surrounding villages would feel the impact "just as much" as Larling itself.

A spokesman said: "We struggle to understand the logic behind this siting. It is located eight miles from the nearest town, and has no mains sewerage, drainage or telecoms provision.

"The new inhabitants will likely be mostly families placing increased pressure on local schools, the most local being East Harling Primary - which has been oversubscribed for many years.

"We ask, where is the planning in the selection of this site? We urge Breckland to reconsider as development of this size is only suitable adjacent to service centre towns where the infrastructure can absorb it."

Larling, near East Harling (Image: Denise Bradley)

WHAT NEXT?

The consultation closed on July 15 and will be used to inform another updated version of the local plan, which will be subject to further review by the public in early 2025 prior to submission for independent examination. 

Barkers Farm, where up to 1,900 homes could be built (Image: Denise Bradley)

The local plan sets out the need to deliver a minimum of 16,525 new homes across the district by 2046 and Breckland Council says that at least one strategic allocation site will need to be selected in order for this to be achieved.

While it is expected that either Larling, Dereham or Swanton Morley will be taken forward to the next stage of local plan development, it is possible that none will be selected and new options will have to be explored, such as redistributing the housing numbers across the district.