Plans for 1,200 homes in villages across South Norfolk will "breathe life" into left behind communities, a council leader has said.

In total, 48 villages look set for development as part of the South Norfolk Village Clusters Housing Allocations Plan (VCHAP), including Brooke, Pulham St Mary and Woodton, which are allocated 50 properties each.

The plan outlines the long-term housebuilding strategy for the area, designating where housing growth can occur between now and 2038 to accommodate the region's growing population.

Approving the final draft of the plan, South Norfolk Council (SNC) leader John Fuller said the scheme was necessary for the future of communities.

Of the 120 parishes in South Norfolk only around 20 have seen any major development since 2003, Mr Fuller told a cabinet meeting on Monday.

Eastern Daily Press: South Norfolk Council leader John FullerSouth Norfolk Council leader John Fuller (Image: Archant)

“In my own village of Brooke, it’s now nearly 40 years since the Burgess Way development was completed," he said.

"To essentially have a development moratorium for 40 years isn’t helping the shops, the buses, or the schools. It is not serving the residents of the area.  

“In a limited and proportionate way, we can breathe life back into some settlements which have been bypassed for development without overwhelming them.” 

The council leader added people are currently being priced out of living near their parents in south Norfolk villages due to the lack of development.

Mr Fuller argued the scale of the developments would also help “break up the monopoly” of large housebuilders, favouring smaller developers who employ and source materials locally. 

Fellow Conservative councillor David Bills also welcomed the plans but argued Bawburgh and Little Melton did not need life breathed into them and there was already backlash to the communities being included in the VCHAP.

"If anywhere needs that I’d have thought they would be further out from the A47,” he said. 

Residents of Woodton have also had a mixed reaction to the VCHAP. 

While some have said the village needs development, without which it "will die", others have argued the quiet is what attracted them to the area and more homes would destroy that.

The VCHAP will now go to parish councils for them to comment ahead of being submitted to the secretary of state before it is brought into force.