Homes plan moves forward despite road safety fears

Controversial plans for new homes have moved forward despite warnings that residents will be pulling out onto a road where an elderly couple were killed.

North Norfolk Council gave permission, in principle, to build nine bungalows on land off Heathfield Road in High Kelling, near Holt.

The plans were opposed by locals who believe the adjacent A148 – which runs between Cromer and King's Lynn - is too dangerous.

In December 2024, Sheila and Campbell Welsh, aged 81 and 82, died after being struck by a car outside a carol service they had been attending with friends.

A coroner later found the driver could not reasonably have avoided the couple as they were crossing in dark clothing on the unlit road.

A man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving but faced no further action.

The couple's deaths led to widespread concern in High Kelling about the safety of the road.

Their granddaughter launched a petition calling for safety improvements which was signed by more than 1,000 people and Norfolk County Council carried out a safety review.

Residents of the new homes would join the A148 via Avenue Road, pulling out just yards from where the fatal accident happened.

Prior to the decision by the council's planning committee, more than 80 villagers went to a public meeting to voice their frustrations, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The parish council opposed the plans and more than 40 formal objections were also lodged.

Peter Rutherford, a parish councillor who spoke at Thursday's meeting, said it was his understanding that no further development had previously been permitted on that side of the A148 precisely because of the dangers at the Avenue Road junction.

"This site is not suitable for residential development," he said.

"It is impossible to gain safe access onto the A148 for any additional housing."

However, the plans could still be blocked as "permission in principle" is an early-stage consent.

A second stage must still be passed and the highways authority has warned it will likely raise safety objections

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