Marion Maltwood has lived in her home for 56 years - it was where she brought up three children and where her youngest son was born.

Next week she resumes the fight to save it from demolition.

Along with her late husband, she moved from London to a brand new house on the Abbey Estate in Thetford, Norfolk, in 1970.

In 2023, she learned her home could be demolished and rebuilt as part of a £250m plan put forward by housing provider Bromford Flagship LiveWest (BFL).

The developer wanted to knock down almost half the 1,100 properties on the estate, rebuild them, and add almost 500 more.

BFL insisted that redevelopment would bring hundreds of new, energy-efficient homes, but those plans were rejected by Breckland District Council last year.

While residents of the Abbey celebrated, their fight was not over, as BFL is appealing the decision, with a public inquiry due to start on Tuesday.

Maltwood fell in love with what was then known as the Abbey Farm Estate, with it being on the "edge of the countryside".

With the nearby forest, river and open spaces, it was a world away from London, and she "thought it was an ideal space to bring up children."

But the 84-year-old said that since BFL's plans emerged, there had been "a continuous shadow over my life".

She said the firm had offered to either buy her home, or trade it for a new one that has yet to be built.

Either way, she would have to relocate and said she did not "want to move once, let alone twice at my age".

"It's not something you can forget; it's not easy to live with. I can't tell you how horrible it's been," explained Maltwood, who is treasurer of the Abbey Action Group (AAG), which has campaigned against BFL's plans.

BFL has said that along with newly built homes, there would be a new neighbourhood park and community centre as well as "improved lighting, pavements, play areas and green spaces", with work taking place over the span of 20 years.

It owns around two-thirds of the properties on the Abbey, with almost all of the others privately owned.

The freehold homes BFL wishes to redevelop would be subject to compulsory purchase orders.

A further point of contention is that the firm wants to demolish more than 700 garages, something Keith Wolfenden said he was particularly worried about.

Wolfenden, who has lived on the estate for 30 years, described "a great sense of community" and how his garage helped him support his neighbours.

"It's full of tools, and if anyone wants anything done, I've normally got the tool for the job," the 72-year-old said.

"I think it's a part of me; it's my man cave."

Also an AAG campaigner, he insisted the group was not opposed to some redevelopment.

"There is potential to do some rebuilding on this estate, but in a sensible way where people won't be too affected," he added.

BFL said it did not want to comment on evidence ahead of the inquiry, but a spokesman said its "focus remains on everyone living at the Abbey".

"Teams will continue to provide the services and support they [residents] rely on, just as we always have," he added.

At its appeal, the firm is expected to argue that Breckland Council's planning committee was wrong to reject its plan on the basis that it could cause "unacceptable harm" to the mental health and wellbeing of the Abbey's residents.

In documents it has already submitted, it said: "It seems clear that the committee…were looking at issues extending beyond the planning balance."

Sitting in her home, Marion Maltwood proudly showed a handmade card a neighbour had given her when BFL was refused planning permission.

The message inside thanked her for "all the hard work representing the majority of the people on the Abbey".

"It was lovely, I've treasured the card," she said, adding she was astonished to receive it.

She felt quite differently when she was told Abbey would appeal the decision.

"My stomach just sank, and I thought, 'oh no, we're going back through all this heartache again'," she admitted.

"I just can't put into words how I felt that day."

Along with many others, she will give evidence at hearings that could last up to eight days.

However, the result of the appeal could take much longer to be revealed. The most recent figures from the Planning Inspectorate said decisions took an average of 26 weeks.

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