We all want to see vibrant local businesses providing important employment opportunities and boosting our local communities.
However, this must not come at the unreasonable expense of Mid Norfolk’s precious rural quality of life or the sustainability of our country roads and local services.
That’s why I continue to take seriously the very real concerns of local people in Griston (and surrounding villages) regarding proposals to transform a light, community-focused light industrial unit into one much more focussed on heavy industry – just meters from residential houses.
Further to my recent site visit to meet with concerned parish councillors and residents in Griston, as well as my formal submission to Breckland Council (who’s Planning Committee will determine the three applications in question), I have also today written to the Secretary of State to ask what more can be done to protect rural villages like Griston and ensure the National Planning Policy Framework does not encourage inappropriate heavy industry in our rural communities.
See my letter below.
Rest assured, I will continue to work with local councillors and community groups to speak up on behalf of and support my Mid Norfolk towns and villages when faced by wholly inappropriate and/or unsustainable applications.
To find out more on my work on this issue to date, please scroll down below.
To find out more about my wider ‘Planning and Protecting Our Rural Landscape and Heritage’ campaign, please visit my campaign page here.
UPDATE - 13 February 2024
We all want to see vibrant local businesses providing important employment opportunities and boosting our local communities.
However, this must not come at the unreasonable expense of Mid Norfolk’s precious rural quality of life or the sustainability of our country roads and local services.
That’s why I met with local residents in Griston recently to discuss in greater depth widespread local concerns at proposals to transform a light, community-focused industrial unit into one focussed on heavy industry — just meters from residential houses.
See my video above.
Having already written to the leader of Breckland before Christmas to make my opposition to the proposal clear, I very much understand why the proposals are of such concern to the local community – and will continue to do everything I can to help make their voices heard.
I will also be flagging the case to DLUHC ministers as an example of why we must ensure rural communities have a strong voice when applications for inappropriate heavy industry are brought forward in their area.
The proposals here would make much more sense down at the industrial park at Snetterton, not in the heart of small rural village.
To find out more information on my work supporting Griston villagers on this issue, please click here
My formal submission to the Breckland Planning Process can be seen below.
