Twelve new homes for local people have been given the go-ahead in Norfolk's second home honeypot.

Holkham Estate has been given planning permission to build on former allotment land off Creake Road, in Burnham Market.

Eastern Daily Press: The new homes will be built near the junction of Creake Road and Beacon Hill Road, at Burnham MarketThe new homes will be built near the junction of Creake Road and Beacon Hill Road, at Burnham Market (Image: Chris Bishop)

In its planning application, it said: "Holkham is a significant local employer and is keenly aware of the difficulty local people face in finding affordable accommodation in one of the most sought after locations to live and visit in the country.

"In response to this issue, the estate is investing in the creation of new homes in the area with a focus on the delivery of homes for local people."

Eastern Daily Press: A plan of the new development at Burnham MarketA plan of the new development at Burnham Market (Image: Holkham Estate)

The development will comprise two affordable homes, two properties to be rented out to local people and eight smaller family homes, including two bungalows suitable for older people wishing to downsize.

Burnham Market, dubbed Norfolk's "poshest" village, is also known as Chelsea-on-Sea, because of the number of well-heeled Londoners owning second homes.

Eastern Daily Press: Burnham Market is known as 'Chelsea-on-Sea' because of the number of Londoners owning second homesBurnham Market is known as 'Chelsea-on-Sea' because of the number of Londoners owning second homes (Image: Chris Bishop)

But house prices have soared in recent years, which have also seen a boom in the number of holiday lets.

Villagers agreed a neighbourhood plan with curbs on second homes at a landmark vote last year.

It said any new build should be a principal residence, where someone lives full-time.

Eastern Daily Press: Burnham Market's population is falling, as younger people move elsewhere in search of cheaper housingBurnham Market's population is falling, as younger people move elsewhere in search of cheaper housing (Image: Chris Bishop)

It also set out the need to re-balance the local population, by skewing development in favour of more affordable properties in the hope of stemming the exodus of younger villagers. 

Some 948 people lived in the village at the 2001 census. By the 2021 count, the number had fallen to 724.

Yet the number of properties has increased, along with their price in a village where the average price of a property is now more than £1m according to RightMove, while a modest terrace will set you back upwards of £600,000.