Plans for 446 homes in village set for approval

Councillors are expected to approve hundreds of homes in a seaside village despite dozens of objections.

Almost 70 people, the parish council and local MP say they are against the proposal for Hopton-on-Sea in Norfolk, with concerns including the impact on local services and traffic.

Repton Property Developments said the 446 homes – as well as a 70-bed care home – were "much needed" in the area.

A report recommends Great Yarmouth borough councillors approve the idea when they meet on Thursday.

According to council documents, the new estate would be built on 61 acres (25 hectares) of farmland south of Links Road in Gorleston, but would fall within the parish of Hopton.

There would be a mixture of one to four-bedroom houses and bungalows, and 67 would be classed as affordable to rent or buy.

A care home is also being proposed.

Hopton Parish Council said it was concerned roads could not cope with "something like 1,000 [extra] vehicle movements, multiple times a day".

It warned that could lead to "traffic chaos" although the local highways authority, Norfolk County Council, has not objected.

Great Yarmouth's Restore Britain MP Rupert Lowe said he was also worried about traffic, adding the plans would add "infrastructure" strain, putting pressure on health and education services.

But in a planning statement, Repton's architects argued the design "sensitively extends existing settlements providing much needed homes in a well-connected location".

Council officers say the proposal provides "significant social benefits" as well as new jobs for the construction.

Their report advised that as long as conditions were agreed with the developer, including a £1.5m contribution towards local services, outline planning permission should be given.

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