Noise fears halt Watton homes scheme

Published: 8:38 AM August 12, 2008

Updated: 10:05 PM February 19, 2021

Plans for a Watton housing development have been rejected by councillors because of noise pollution.Norfolk-based Serruys Property had hoped to transform the Plaswood industrial site by knocking down existing units and building 24 homes.

Plans for a Watton housing development have been rejected by councillors because of noise pollution.

Norfolk-based Serruys Property had hoped to transform the Plaswood industrial site by knocking down existing units and building 24 homes.

Residents from a nearby estate welcomed the proposal saying the state of the site was an eyesore, and dangerous because children played in the empty buildings.

But during the development control meeting yesterday, Breckland's environmental health officer said an engineering works, next to the industrial site, would cause noise pollution for new residents.

Serruys Property said it would put up trees to limit the sound, only bathrooms would face the works in houses next to it, and if all windows were closed no noise would be heard.

Planning committee chairman Elizabeth Gould said: “On a day like today, we're sat with the windows open. It's unacceptable to say people can't open them. These are not five-bedroom executive homes; they are small properties for people on a lower income. Should we really subject them to live like that?”