Locals celebrate victory in 'David v Goliath' fight against housing developer

Locals in a Norfolk market town are celebrating the rejection of plans to demolish their homes as part of a largescale revamp. Residents of the Abbey Estate in Thetford have spent the last six years afraid their family homes could be knocked down by a housing association. In what has been described as a "David versus Goliath" battle, they were pitted against Bromford Flagship, a firm that owns over half of the houses on the estate and had proposed a major revamp including rebuilding over 1,000 properties.

After a four hour meeting on Thursday, local councillors opposed the project, however, allowing long-term tenants to finally breathe a sigh of relief. Fiona Kiane, who has lived on the estate for 25 years and whose home could have become a car park under the plans, said she was "absolutely elated" by the news.

"From by back garden to my front gate, it's mine and I own it," she told the BBC. "I spent a lot of money and I've paid my mortgage and this is all mine now.

"It just makes me feel angry that people can come in and decide this is the fate of the estate when they know nothing about is. I'm passionate about my house. I want to live here for the rest of my life."

The revamp of the Abbey Estate, which was built in the 1960s and '70s, was announced in 2019 as part of a £250 million plan for "long term improvements" at the site, which is one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England.

"I'm absolutely elated. It's like winning the lottery," Ms Kiane said.

Jen Barrett, who has lived on the estate for over 50 years, added: "I am chuffed. It feels like we stood up to the big money. They think they can walk all over you."

"Before today, we thought we'd probably lose," she told the Eastern Daily Press. "It's amazing."

The planning committee members rejected the proposal on the grounds that the emotional distress it would cause outweighed any benefits, including the provision of 500 new council houses.

Dave Armstrong, chief operating officer at the housing association, said: "We're naturally disappointed, but we fully respect the decision and the views that have been shared.

"We've heard that change is needed, and we remain committed to working with the council and the community to make that happen."