West Winch homes and access road will bring ‘benefits to residents’, councillor says

A key councillor says there will be benefits to residents and improved road safety when West Norfolk’s largest housing development is complete.

Proposals for 1,100 homes in West Winch were finally given full outline planning permission by West Norfolk Council on Friday.

Hopkins Homes is the developer which will lead the works, with this the first phase of a 4,000-home growth project identified within the West Norfolk Strategic Local Plan.

In addition to the new homes, the first phase includes a new primary school, local centre for shops and other community use facilities, and areas of public open space.

It will also be supported by a significant new link road connecting the A47 and A10.

Cllr Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, is particularly hopeful over the positive impact this road will have.

“It’s really important that we’ve got this agreement over the line, so my thanks to all involved in achieving this,” he said.

“The housing that will be enabled through this planning application is key to securing the national funding needed for our West Winch Housing Access Road and associated upgrades to the nearby A47 and Hardwick junction.

“These improvements will not only ensure the local road network will be in good shape to handle the additional journeys that come with housing growth but, importantly, there are benefits to existing local residents too.

“These include reducing traffic through the village of West Winch and improved road safety and walking and cycling conditions.”

An outline business case for the new £109million road linking the A47 to the A10 was approved by the Department for Transport in April.