Plans to bring 24 affordable home to a coastal town, along with a new library and a revamped bus station, have been rebooted after a previous bid was withdrawn.

West Norfolk Council (WNC) is hoping to deliver the project in Hunstanton at the bus station site, together with Norfolk County Council.

County Hall is set to update the bus station as part of the project and create a new library, while WNC plans to build the homes.

WNC initially hoped to create 47 dwellings at the site but this was subsequently withdrawn due to complications with the initial plan, which would have involved relocating the bus station.

An artist's impression of the new bus station and library at HunstantonAn artist's impression of the new bus station and library at Hunstanton (Image: Norfolk County Council)

A reduced number of 24 affordable homes has since been proposed.

The project is being funded in part via a £800,000 grant from Homes England, which was awarded to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes on council-owned sites. This would need to be refunded if the scheme fails to go ahead. 

WNC cabinet members have agreed to offer £2.2m in ringfenced funds to help deliver the scheme, which is hoped to bring much-needed affordable housing to the town. 

Terry Parish, independent councillor for Heacham, urged the council at a recent cabinet meeting to consider ensuring the new homes are offered to local people first. This will be considered at a later stage of the project. 

Alistair Beales, leader of the council, said the authority has a "good history" of delivering affordable homes and he hopes this project will lead to continued opportunities to work with Homes England on similar schemes.