West Norfolk Council recommends Stoke Ferry housing approved

Freebridge Community Housing, one of the largest providers of affordable homes in west Norfolk, wants to build 29 homes in Stoke Ferry.

The site in Lynn Road sits next to the village hall and the 100pc affordable homes scheme providing a mix of one-bed and four-bed homes also includes the construction of a new car park for the community centre.

The 2Agriculture site in Stoke Ferry (Image: Chris Bishop)

Outline planning permission for the site had previously been granted but the land has since changed hands to Freebridge. 

It comes as feed company 2Agriculture plans to demolish its mill on Lynn Road and its feed store on Furlong Drove to make way for housing before moving its operation to Snetterton.

The proposals sparked protests by locals in 2019, who argued the company should refurbish the listed buildings it owns around the village, including the hall.

Where the 29 homes and car park would be built in Stoke Ferry (Image: Google)

Despite the previous uproar, the parish council is in support of the development although has suggested a number of conditions be applied, which include contributions toward the creation of new play equipment for the village.

But a small group of villagers have continued to voice their opposition, fearing the new builds will lead to existing homes being overshadowed by them, cutting off light into their houses.

Others also worry it will reduce the amount of privacy currently enjoyed by residents.

Stoke Ferry is considered a key rural service centre in the region and is expected to grow in size considerably in forthcoming years with plans to build more than 100 homes there.

West Norfolk councillors will decide whether to approve the development at a planning committee meeting next week.