Hundreds of homes approved on outskirts of city

Hundreds of homes will be built in what is believed to be one of the biggest housing developments Norwich has seen in years.

Permission was granted for 480 new homes across three sites in Thorpe St Andrew on the outskirts of the city, in a Broadland Council planning meeting on Wednesday.

The scheme will see new homes at Pinebanks, Langley North and Griffin Lane.

However, planning officers recommended the rejection of 70 homes on a Langley South site over fears it could damage an ancient woodland, which will be put before the committee at a later date.

Out of the hundreds of homes, 260 of these will be built at Pinebanks, on the site of the former Norwich Union Sports and Social Club which was closed in 2008 and gutted by fire in 2014.

Ninety homes are planned for land at Langley North, which was once used by Langley Prep School and a further 130 homes will be built at Griffin Lane.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the decision follows years of protests, petitions and delays after plans were first submitted in 2013.

Many living in the area have warned the site threatens to overwhelm roads, schools and services and produce towering apartment blocks which would be out of character with the area.

Originally developer Berliet Ltd wanted to build 725 properties, however, this was scaled back to 550 and the number of affordable homes was reduced.

While planning rules state developers should provide at least 33% affordable housing, the developer said it was no longer "financially viable".

Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Auber said he was "really disappointed" by the lack of affordable homes within the plans.

He said: "I don't really understand why affordability is an issue because a lot of it is very open, standard, buildable sites."

However, during a Broadland Council planning meeting on Wednesday, members of the parish council spoke in favour of the proposals and called on councillors to approve the developments.

The verdict follows two delays over the plans and the Langley South section of the plan will be put before the committee at a later date.

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