Thetford Town Council threatens legal action over Abbey Estate

A council has threatened to take legal action if plans to demolish and rebuild a Norfolk estate get approved.

Thetford Town Council has reiterated its objections ahead of a decision over Flagship’s plans to regenerate the Abbey Estate later this month.

The scheme has proved hugely controversial, particularly due to the hundreds of people who would be forced out of their homes for them to be bulldozed.

Breckland Council’s planning committee is due to make a decision on the project on October 16.

Terry Land, chairman of Thetford Town Council’s corporate services committee, said: “This is a development of huge consequence for our town.

“We are determined to ensure that the voices of Thetford residents are heard and that decisions are made in a fair and transparent way.

“Exploring a Judicial Review is not a step we take lightly, but it reflects the level of concern about these proposals.”

The redevelopment of the 1,100-home estate would take place in phases over two decades and include the demolition and rebuild of hundreds of houses along with the construction of up to 500 new properties.

Thetford Town Council says it has told officers to seek advice from lawyers on the potential cost and timetable for pursuing a judicial review, should this be necessary.

Breckland’s planning officers are yet to publish their report for the application, in which a recommendation will be made to councillors to either approve or refuse the project.

In a letter to Breckland, Thetford Town Council voiced its objections to the scheme last month.

The council said: “We object to the proposals in the strongest possible terms. At its heart, this application seeks to atomise the existing community, many of whom have lived here happily for decades.”

Key concerns include fears that freehold owners of the properties could struggle to find new housing due to the compulsory purchase price offered by Flagship likely to be lower than the value of other homes in the town.

The scheme would also result in the loss of green space, which could affect biodiversity in the town.