Plans for 160 homes in Hunstanton approved despite fears over doctor shortage
Critics are worried about an “increased burden” on health services in the area
More than 160 homes have been given the final approval for a coastal Norfolk town despite fears there are not enough doctors to cope with the increased demand.
The huge development forms part of a £3m scheme to build assisted-living accommodation in Hunstanton on land south of the King’s Lynn Road commercial park.
West Norfolk Council has given the green light for the plans despite objections from locals and a councillor.
County Hall approved the ÂŁ3m funding for the development earlier this month, which will create 61 housing with care apartments, offering affordable housing for those who need extra care and support.
In addition, 39 care-ready bungalows and 60 residential homes will also be built.
The development is part of a wider investment of ÂŁ29m to create similar independent living housing schemes in Norfolk.
"Madness"
Councillor Terry Parrish, said it was “madness” for the development to go ahead due to the “increased burden” on health services in the area and the lack of road improvements.
He fears the new care homes will bring an influx of elderly people to the area, arguing it would be “detrimental to already strained health services including doctors, dentists and pharmacies”.
A local echoed Mr Parrish’s frustrations, saying there is a “critical situation” in Hunstanton with health services already struggling to cope.
He questioned whether the Highways department made decisions “on a whim” due to a development on a similar scale requiring a roundabout to be built as well.
A number of people also argued that the new homes will cause an increase in traffic on the already-congested A149, from which the site is accessed.
There is growing anger among those living in west Norfolk over frustrations that large planning developments are being approved despite there not being adequate infrastructure in place.
A number of people staged a protest earlier this month in nearby West Winch ahead of the council considering whether or not to approve 300 homes despite funding for major road improvements yet to be secured.