Villagers in tiny hamlet angry after developer tries to avoid paying £33.7K levy

Villagers are angry at a developer's bid to avoid paying £33,700 to help support the local school and playing field.

EAM Developments was granted permission by West Norfolk Council (WNC) to transform a former mill complex in the tiny hamlet of Whittington into 22 homes nearly a decade ago.

Some of the properties, situated off the A134 between Thetford and Downham Market, have since gone on the market with an asking price in the region of £225,000 - £325,000.

EAM's managing director Martin Clark with his daughter Amy (Image: EAM Developments)

As part of the agreement, EAM was to pay £15,028 to support local schools, £,3750 for the library and £15,000 as a contribution towards the cost of maintaining the playing field.

But the Norfolk firm, run by managing director Martin Clark, now says it is not viable for it to pay the agreed Section 106 payments - contributions developers pay towards community infrastructure like schools and libraries.

It says the costs of the project have risen by 25-30pc due to a number of issues including electrical improvements, the fallout from the Covid pandemic and rising labour costs due to "global political issues".

READ MORE: Developer launches appeal after village shop and flats plans are blocked

Inside the homes at Whittington Mill (Image: EAM Developments)

But there is growing anger in the community at what some see as an attempt to re-write the agreement because "profits are not high enough".

Several people have written letters of objection to WNC, with some calling for EAM to be denied any future development opportunities unless it pays the levy.

READ MORE: Village church to be restored nearly 20 years after its floor was ripped out

Others questioned why it had taken so long for the work to be completed, which is being delivered in phases, and called for the council to investigate the stalling project.

Lorna Kempster, one of the objectors, said: "Costs have gone up for everybody and they should have planned for this when undertaking the development."

WNC will make a decision about the firm's request later this year.

Attempts have been made to contact EAM Developments.