Emma Knights The man behind the restoration of a historic Norfolk mansion wants to build 34 homes on the surrounding land near Dereham.Stephen Vince has applied to Breckland Council for permission to create the development which is intended to help fund restoration work on Bylaugh Hall.

Emma Knights

The man behind the restoration of a historic Norfolk mansion wants to build 34 homes on the surrounding land near Dereham.

Stephen Vince has applied to Breckland Council for permission to create the development which is intended to help fund restoration work on Bylaugh Hall.

The new homes would be a mix of residential properties as well as second homes and holiday accommodation. They would be built in Bylaugh Park, about 1km away from Bylaugh Hall, and a new access to the development would be created off Elsing Lane along with other measures to enable the existing roads to cope with the extra traffic.

But planning officers are recommending councillors refuse the application that will be discussed at Breckland's development control meeting on December 15.

A planning officer's report to the committee states: “The proposed residential development is intended to help fund the completion of the restoration of Bylaugh Hall, a grade II listed building. Since 2004 substantial works have been undertaken to rebuild the hall from its previously ruinous state to create function rooms and apartments. The works required to complete the restoration of the hall include the reconstruction of the collapsed south-east tower and the reinstatement of missing stonework.”

But the report goes on to say that the public benefits of the restoration work would be outweighed by the harm the new development would cause.

The planning officer states: “It is recommended that planning permission is refused on the grounds that the proposals would be contrary to rural housing and sustainable transport policies, and would cause harm to the rural character.”

Bylaugh Parish Meeting is against the plans because of the size of the development and fears it could ruin the existing rural landscape. There are also concerns about how the existing road network and local services could cope with the new development.

The Highway Authority has also objected because it said the development was in an unsuitable location with poor public transport links and cycling and pedestrian facilities.

Letters from three local residents state concerns about extra traffic, drainage, and harm to wildlife and the rural landscape.

The council has received one letter supporting the development which said it would benefit local businesses.