On Friday 6th December 2013, George met with Cllr Rogers, members of the Carbrooke Parish Council and the Blenheim Residents’ Association. The members took George on a tour of this still incomplete housing estate in Carbrooke just on the boundary with Watton. The Association complained to George about the absence of recreational facilities, the presence of building waste and rubbish throughout the estate, and a lack of pathways; but mostly their concerns focus on the lack of a permanent Community Centre. Currently, the Housing Association is using two metal portacabins provided by the builder who plans to take them away when the development is finished.

Carbrooke Parish Council is currently negotiating the transfer of amenity land on the estate with Taylor Wimpey and management company Oasis. Funding has already been secured for play equipment and it is hoped that a small part of this land will be made available for the siting of a future permanent Community Centre.

George said:

“I have long taken an interest in rural planning policy and believe that Blenheim Grange illustrates how plans for housing a large population can go astray. I am appalled at the state of the estate with dangerous rubble and rubbish strewn across pathways. I have enormous sympathy for their complaint and regret that this massive house building has been allowed without adequate investment in infrastructure and proper community facilities. But, by working with the Parish Council and District Cllr John Rogers, I plan to raise the Residents concerns, and convene a forum with the developers, to see if we can set out a plan for proper facilities.”


George Freeman, MP, Phil Sampher, & Mike Wormall


Part of the estate

Main Photo: (left to right) Cllr Rogers, George Freeman MP, Debbie Muller, Phil Sampher, Mike Wormall and Tom Thurston.