Norfolk council under pressure to find space for 8,900 homes

North Norfolk District Council is under pressure to find space for nearly 9,500 homes over the next 15 years.

It follows government officials telling the authority it needs to deliver more than 1,500 extra properties, at a rate of 557 a year, for its Local Plan - a key document that stipulates where development can take place in the district - to be accepted.

An aerial view of Weybourne, which is earmarked for 20 new homes (Image: Mike Page)

NNDC is now facing a tight deadline to resubmit the policy to the Planning Inspectorate - the government department that presides over planning matters.

As part of the revision of the local plan, the number of homes to be built in 28 villages identified has doubled, rising from 452 to 873.

This includes small rural communities such as Weybourne, Ryburgh and Itteringham.

The beach at Overstrand, which could grow by 38 homes (Image: Newsquest)

Sites already earmarked for hundreds of homes are also set to be expanded, such as developments in North Walsham and Cromer.

It comes amid growing backlash to the increased housing targets, which councillors fear will heap more pressure on struggling services and infrastructure like roads, surgeries and schools.

Wintery scenes in Ryburgh (Image: Newsquest)

GROWING VILLAGES

North Norfolk is a predominantly rural district with more than 40 miles of coastline, several Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and swathes of farmland.

While its four larger towns are to bear the brunt of new developments, its smaller villages will also face significant growth in the coming years, if the revised local plan is approved.

NNDC has increased the amount of housing earmarked for these locations by 9pc while also allocating 277 homes for 10 more previously discounted.

Villages due to grow the most include East Runton, Bacton, Sutton, Beeston Regis, Tunstead and North Repps.

The larger villages of Blakeney, Briston, Ludham and Mundesley are earmarked for 110 extra homes.

While 705 additional homes have been proposed for North Walsham, Cromer, Stalham and Hoveton.

PRESSURE MOUNTS

NNDC has been developing its new local plan since 2016. The document is vital to ensure development only takes place in allocated places, as without one, homes could be built anywhere.

Following the Planning Inspectorate issuing the findings of its examination, the council only has six months to ratify the changes. 

Dr Victoria Holliday, councillor for coastal ward at NNDC (Image: Newsquest)

The issue was discussed by members of the planning policy and built heritage working party recently.

Officers have said they recognise some sites will be "controversial" but that they are needed to satisfy the housing demand identified.

Iain Withington, who has led the team developing the local plan, said it is "our one and only opportunity" to address the shortcomings of the initial submission.

Nigel Dixon, deputy leader of the Conservative group (Image: North Norfolk District Council)

Councillor Nigel Dixon added: "Pragmatism seems to be the deal of the day... Not getting this through would open the doors to mayhem."

Dr Victoria Holliday, a Conservative councillor for NNDC's coastal ward, said she appreciates the need to "get this done" but said the decision to build more homes in places like Blakeny and Weybourne will be "hard to swallow."

The new local plan will be presented to the public for a six-week consultation, which is expected to start on November 6. 

The full list of towns and villages set for nearly 9,500 homes...

VILLAGES

Aldborough - 22

Badersfield - 35

Bacton - 45

Binham - 11

Blakeney - 60

Briston - 90

Catfield - 39

Corpusty and Saxthorpe - 29

East Runton - 64

Happisburgh - 36

High Kelling - 20

Horning - 29

Little Snoring - 24

Little Walsingham - 31

Mundesley - 45

Overstrand - 38

Roughton - 37

Sculthorpe - 28

Southrepps - 34

Sutton - 46

Trunch - 37

Weybourne - 20

Beeston Regis - 43

Erpingham - 29

Felmingham - 23

Itteringham - 5

Langham - 15

Ludham - 75

Northrepps - 43

Ryburgh - 26

Stibbard - 13

Tunstead - 42

Worstead - 38

TOWNS

Cromer - 912

North Walsham - 2,480

Hoveton - 190

Stalham - 275

Fakenham - 750

Holt - 207

Sheringham - 133

Wells-next-the-Sea - 70