Campaigners seek more protected land after securing parkland status

Residents in a Norfolk town have successfully campaigned to secure village green status for seven acres of land known as Harding's Pits, protecting the leisure space from development after a 30-year effort. Following this win, the community group and a local councillor are asking for the protection to be extended to the east side of the area, which is currently earmarked for up to 50 houses. Campaigners argue that any development would increase traffic and negatively impact wildlife, peace, and local safety. Instead, they want the local council to amend its plan to provide community sports facilities, more trees, and wildlife areas, while the authority navigates government targets to build thousands of new homes by 2040.