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Plans put forward for 1,850 homes in town

Paul MoseleyNorfolk political reporter
Lovell Partnerships A computer-generated image of a housing estate. A large, modern home is in the centre of the image. Two women, dressed mostly in white, are walking by it.Lovell Partnerships
An image from developer Lovell gives an idea of how some of the homes may look

Plans have been put forward for up to 1,850 homes on the outskirts of a town.

Developers have said they want to build more than 400 properties in the first stage of the development to the west of North Walsham in Norfolk.

The overall plan submitted to North Norfolk Council also includes space for a new primary school, specialist care accommodation and a link road.

But most people who took part in a consultation said they were not happy with the proposals, with many concerned about the impact on traffic.

North Norfolk District Council A picture taken from a drone flying near North Walsham. The image shows the town and large fields.North Norfolk District Council
The development would be built on farmland on the outskirts of North Walsham

Covering 234 acres (95 hectares) – about the area of 130 football pitches – the plans have been drawn up by a consortium of local landowners and three developers.

The developers are Norwich-based ESCO Prospect, Flagship Housing and Lovell Partnerships.

A letter from their agent, Bidwells, details proposals for up to 1,850 homes, with 473 planned for a first phase to be built between 2028 and 2036.

The overall plan also includes space for shops, businesses, and a primary school – as well as specialist elderly care of "up to 300 units".

Bidwells' Sarah Hornbrook said construction work would see the equivalent of 245 jobs created, with the potential for 250 more from new businesses on the development.

"The proposals represent highly sustainable development and will deliver notable benefits, and the application should therefore be approved without delay," she insisted.

Ordnance Survey A map showing North Walsham, with red markings outlining the land which would be developed.Ordnance Survey
A map provided by the developers showed where they planned to build up to 1,850 homes

In a consultation carried out at the end of last year, more than half the people who took part said they were either "dissatisfied" or "very dissatisfied" with the proposals.

Meanwhile 86% of people said they were concerned about the impact it would have on local traffic.

However, the developers pointed to a new link road they have also planned, which will connect Norwich Road to Cromer Road.

They said it would "ease congestion" within North Walsham, while they outlined proposals to cut congestion on the B1150 road as well.

North Norfolk Council is expected to decide on the plans in the autumn.

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