Councillors have unanimously agreed to more than double the number of homes granted permission on a Norfolk village development, from a maximum of 35 homes to 75.

Members of Breckland Council’s planning committee had previously approved the proposal for 35 homes at Essex Farm in Sporle, near Swaffham, in October 2021.

But following that permission, the applicant lodged a further request to expand the project to 75 homes, which was agreed at a meeting on Tuesday, December 13. 

Parish councillor Kalvin McLeod said the village was in need of more affordable homes and that the new residents would help maintain Sporle’s local school, pub, post office and shop. 

He said the larger proposal was “a wonderful thing”, which would enable local people to live in the village.

Some 25pc of the development is set to be affordable, with the current buildings at Essex Farm demolished as part of the project.

Planning officers meanwhile agreed that the larger scheme would be “a more efficient use of the land”.

Permission in principle for the 75 homes was given unanimously, with a more detailed version of the project to be considered at a later date.