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12 December 2008: Norwich Evening News New Rackheath eco-town plans go on show by Sam Williams New details of a planned eco-town have gone on public display in an attempt to reassure families that the development would have a positive impact for the community. At least 3,000 new homes are planned for the Rackheath Eco-community in plans which have been submitted to the government for scrutiny, after proposals for a similar development at Coltishall were axed. Following an initial meeting with local people last month, which saw many concerns raised, a display at the village's Holy Trinity Church opened on Thursday aimed to provide new information on the plans to help allay fears. The first meeting saw angry families raise concerns about a lack of consultation, pressures on services and transport links associated with a vastly increased population and the destruction of open space. Among the details included in the plans at the latest meeting were proposed new cycle routes, bus services and a new train station serving the population of the new and existing developments. The display also featured information on sustainable energy generation, likely to involve combined heat and power for families from burning woodchips. Plans were also unveiled for a World War II memorial to mark the history of the site, a former airfield. But concerns remained over the size of the proposals. Chris Dady, 55, a local government worker who has lived on the Rackheath side of Salhouse for about 25 years, said: “People are overwhelmed by the scale. “You start to think about things like how will the hospital cope, will we still be able to drive under the railway bridge to get to our home, and when I go home will I be able to see open fields or houses? “I'm not against development but I am worried about the scale of the plans and some of the detail. The plans are not clear yet.” Pensioner Bram Lowe, who has lived in Rackheath for 10 years, said he was unhappy that the plans would turn the village into a town, and said frequent train services would disturb people living near the rail line. He added: “I am against the proposals for personal reasons and because of environmental problems it's going to create, such as drainage problems and traffic.” But Ian Thorn, director of Meeting Place Communications, working for the developers and who organised the event, said the plans would benefit the local population as well as providing much needed housing. He said: “We are here to listen and also to explain the enormous opportunity the eco-community offers and respond to the issues raised by local people. “At the last meeting the big issues raised were over traffic and transport, how to ensure the development is truly sustainable and how to mark the fact this is a former World War II airfield. “The display showed some of our ideas of how to overcome these issues. We recognise that the eco-community needs to be of benefit to local people in the existing community.” |
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