Blofield village near Norwich set for several more homes

Nine more houses will be built in Blofield as Broadland District Council has approved plans for the small development in Yarmouth Road.

Construction company H Smith and Sons of Honingham first applied for planning permission in 2020 and, four years later, the family business has been given the green light to build. 

Hopkins Homes developed 163 houses in the nearby area with a small part of the site initially earmarked for a pub when plans first emerged in 2014.

The land was initially earmarked for a pub - but 10 years later, no pub has emerged (Image: Google) Efforts to bring in a pub operator proved unsuccessful after several years of trying - despite attempts to entice pub giants such as Greene King, Whitbreds and Adnams.

In its place, the Mr Smiths submitted plans to build nine houses on the plot.

However, those living near the development have raised concerns about the impact additional people and traffic will have on the nearby A47 roundabout, which is home to Blofield services.

"The roundabout is at capacity already so access to Blofield from the east via the A47 needs improvements to be addressed before more houses are added," said one local.

Plans show how nine large homes could fit on the plot (Image: CAM Architects) "Access to Blofield is a real concern along with the lack of other proposed infrastructure," said the clerk to the Blofield Parish Council in 2021, just after the plans emerged. 

READ MORE: Warnings against 'cramming in more houses' as plans emerge for city outskirts

The clerk also raised the parish council's concerns about the lack of affordable housing, with each of the new houses set to have three or four bedrooms.

However, Broadland District Planning Committee has now granted approval for the plans - with 16 stipulations the applicant has to meet in order to progress.

It could be several years yet before the homes are built, with further plans and details needed before the work can start.