Long Stratton: Go-ahead for 1,875 new homes and bypass

South Norfolk Council has given the green light to 1,875 new homes, a new school and community facilities at Long Stratton, south of Norwich.

The scheme also means the grid-locked town's long-awaited relief road will also become a reality after years of campaigning.

James Nicholls, managing director of developers Norfolk Homes Ltd and Norfolk Land Ltd, which are being the scheme, said: "Today is a monumental day for Long Stratton and the wider population of Norfolk, which sees the delivery of this long sort development and the bypass around Long Stratton become a reality.

A graphic showing the new development and bypass at Long Stratton (Image: Norfolk Homes Ltd/Norfolk Land Ltd)"We have been involved in the project for over a decade and to be able to announce the news today is a proud moment for both companies.

"Norfolk Homes and Norfolk Land will continue to work with both South Norfolk and Norfolk County Council to make sure that the delivery of the development commences as soon as possible."

The companies said the bypass would cut traffic along the A140 through the centre of Long Stratton by up to  85pc during the morning peak and 75pc during the afternoon rush.

Campaigners take to the streets of Long Stratton to call for a bypass (Image: Denise Bradley)The £37m road has already been awarded £26m in government funding, with the remaining cost being met by the developer.

Some 1,275 homes and a new primary school are set to be built on 325 acres of land on the east side of the town, stretching from Church Lane to near Wood Lane. 

A further 600 will be built on 100 acres of land west of the A140 between Brand’s Lane and Swan Lane. 

Long Stratton is home to around 4,400 people. If each planned new property had two bedrooms it would increase the population of the town by 3,750, almost doubling it in size.