Plans to build almost 2,000 homes as part of one of Norwich's biggest housing projects were lodged nine months ago, but are stuck in limbo, it has emerged.

Council leaders have long trumpeted the East Norwich Masterplan as a major scheme where 3,600 homes can be built, with 4,000 jobs created.

The site is made up of Carrow Works, home of the former Colman's and Britvic factories, the Deal Ground and May Gurney sites in Trowse, plus the Utilities site near Whitlingham.

Eastern Daily Press: The Carrow Works site in NorwichThe Carrow Works site in Norwich (Image: Fuel Properties)

The site is owned by a number of different developers.

During a hearing about the Greater Norwich Local Plan - a blueprint for where almost 50,000 homes could be built in and around Norwich by 2038 - it emerged that one of the key proposals for the site has sat on the desk of council officers for months.

Developer Fuel Properties lodged plans in July 2022 for more than 1,800 homes at the Carrow Works site, but council officers have yet to validate that application.

Without validation, applications cannot be taken to planning committees for decisions.

At the hearing, planning inspectors - who must decide whether the blueprint is sound - questioned why the application had not been validated.

Mike Burrell, planning policy team leader at Norwich City Council, said: "The application has not been validated due to insufficient information, plans and documents having been submitted, particularly in relation to highways and heritage."

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He said meetings to obtain that information continued.

Councils have been unable to approve housing plans within the catchment areas of the River Wensum and the Broads since March last year because of a directive over nutrient neutrality.

But a new scheme allowing builders to 'offset' the impact of developments by buying 'credits' for mitigation is to be launched next month.