Acle: Crocus Homes submits plans for 200 houses in village

Crocus Homes is targeting a 20-hectare parcel of land between Leffins Lane and Jolly's Lane in Acle for the new houses.

The site is next to the developer's Oaks Meadow scheme, due to be completed this year - made up of 45 homes.

The latest proposals, now in the hands of planners at Broadland District Council (BDC), are for 200 more houses and an independent living centre for over-55s.

Also included are a 10.5 hectare country park, a community building and a carpark with up to 50 spaces.

A house at Crocus Homes' Oak Meadows development in Acle. Picture: Four Agency (Image: Four Agency)

Last November, the developer distributed consultation leaflets to more than 1,000 addresses in Acle, opened a website for comment and held a public event. 

According to a document submitted with the planning application, 18 responses were received during the two-week consultation period, while approximately 80 residents attended the event.

Villagers liked the idea of a country park and a community building - but their main concerns were pressure on existing services and that the development was "too large for Acle", the document states.

Plans show the houses ranging from one to four-bedrooms while the independent living community boasts 90 apartments.

As of Tuesday (February 7), the proposal had received four objections from residents of Acle.

One person said the village's infrastructure is "insufficient with a two to three-week wait for a non urgent doctor appointment".

Another said the development is "too big" for a village with "no job opportunities, limited amenities and one shop".

Acle Parish Council has called an extra meeting to take place on Monday, February 20, at the Methodist Hall, to consider the plans.

Residents are welcome to attend. 

The plans can be viewed on BDC's planning portal or by clicking this link.