Fakenham's Highfield Road car park could have homes built

Fakenham councillors have been told about possible plans to construct the homes at the Highfield Road car park.

Fakenham Town Council has heard a presentation by North Norfolk District Council’s (NNDC) housing strategy and delivery managers, Graham Connolly and Nicky Debbage, over the potential Flagship Housing Group proposal.

The homes would be built on the pay and display section of the car park and not the area reserved for use by residents.

Angela Glynn, mayor of the town, said: “Fakenham Town Council heard the presentation by Mr Connolly and Ms Debbage regarding the possible development of affordable housing with some interest.

Angela Glynn, mayor of Fakenham (Image: Archant)

“It would be entirely accurate to say that most councillors were surprised to be told how many homeless and vulnerably housed families there are in North Norfolk, many with connections to Fakenham.

“However, there is no formal proposal or planning application to consider at the moment. If and when one is made by Flagship Housing, we will consider it.”

This is not the first time the car park has been earmarked as a potential development site.

In 2022, NNDC’s new local plan identified 28 sites in towns and villages for development - with a section of Highfield Road car park noted as a potential site for affordable homes.

The town council voted against it, saying it did not see Highfield car park as a suitable site for development as it believed it would lead to its closure.

NNDC defines affordable homes as housing that is rented out at up to 80pc of market rent value or sold as shared ownership to households who cannot afford to rent or buy market housing.

A NNDC spokesman added: “This was very much an advisory conversation at this stage as no formal application has been made to the council’s planning department by Flagship Housing Group.”

A Flagship Homes spokesman said: "As NNDC mentioned during the recent town council meeting, there has been a conversation but no formal application has been made. We're always looking for opportunities to provide even more affordable homes, but at this stage, there are no further details to provide."

A possible Flagship Housing Group proposal, which would potentially see affordable housing developed on the Highfield Road Car Park in Fakenham (Image: Google Maps)