It is essential that new development is only permitted if it is sustainable and accompanied by the long term infrastructure to support it.

That’s why I read with great disappointment yesterday the Planning Inspector’s decision to uphold an appeal by Gladman and give them permission to build up to 50 homes on land off Dereham Road in Mattishall.

This is a case that I have supported the local community on for many months – having previously written to Breckland’s Planning Department with my concerns, spoke in support of residents at the Breckland Planning Committee hearing back in July and made a formal submission of my views to the Planning Inspectorate – and I will be looking at this latest development very closely with the community and local councillors to establish what we can do next.

As I have said publicly, both in Parliament and in the press, I believe the current approach to planning needs to be reformed if we are to achieve our goals AND restore public trust in our planning system.

I remain committed to campaigning proactively in Westminster for this reform – as I have been doing recently with my Parliamentary debate on Town and Village Planning, and which I am currently following up on with the new Housing Minister.

To see my previous work on this case in Mattishall, please click here and here

For more information on my Town and Village Planning debate in Westminster, please click here