Concerns have been raised over the design of a huge 291-home estate earmarked for the south of Dereham. 

Developer Glavenhill Strategic Land has submitted fresh details about the layout and types of homes for its planned development off Shipdham Road, Westfield Road and Westfield Lane in Toftwood.

However, the plans have already hit stumbling blocks, as the police say planned 'parking courts' could be loud and vulnerable to crime, and some of the house designs have been deemed too small for affordable housing requirements.   

READ MORE: Search on for 'guardian angel' 60 years after dramatic rescue

Dereham Times: Last year, plans were submitted for the creation of a link road which will accompany housing off Westfield Road, ToftwoodLast year, plans were submitted for the creation of a link road which will accompany housing off Westfield Road, Toftwood (Image: Archant 2018)

But Steve Gower, Norfolk Constabulary's 'designing out crime' officer, said he was surprised to see 'parking court areas' in the plans - as they were "problematic" and "a challenge". 

He said: "They are often abandoned as a parking court but used as a playground. Often ball games in such confined hard surfaced areas amplify the noise and become a nuisance for residents.

READ MORE: Who's thinking of Christmas already? Town makes lights switch-on plans

"Such spaces should be private and not part of a network of numerous public access routes or connections that will make them vulnerable to crime."

He said the design also included secluded alleyways, which could leave homes vulnerable to burglaries - a risk that could be reduced by installing more gates. 

But Mr Gower said he was "sure" the development could gain a 'Secured by Design Award' with a few "straight-forward adjustments". 

Another submission from the council's housing enabling officer says that while is positive that "policy-compliant" affordable homes are included in the plans, some of the designs are too small to meet the requirements.  

Despite widespread opposition, the plans were given the green light in 2018. Breckland's planning committee approved the scheme for a second time in 2020 after the developer made guarantees over affordable homes, open spaces and funding for healthcare and education.

Dereham Times: The site at Westfield Road in DerehamThe site at Westfield Road in Dereham (Image: Archant 2018)

To view the application, visit Breckland's planning portal and look up reference  3PL/2023/0585/D