Developer granted extra month to finalise obligations in major West Winch homes project

A developer has been told to “jolly well get a move on” after stalled talks threatened to derail one of the biggest housing developments in the county.

Hopkins Homes has been granted an extra month by West Norfolk to finalise the legal obligations it must fulfil so a 1,100-home scheme in North Runcton can go ahead.

This is the first phase of the 4,000-home West Winch growth project near Lynn and if this is not completed, the application will be refused.

At the borough council’s planning committee today (Monday) the developer was granted the extension to agree on the amount of Section 106 money it will provide - which is cash used to support the infrastructure needed for the houses, addressing issues such as affordable housing, road improvements and school places - having already had three months.

A new £109m road linking the A47 and A10 is due to be built as part of the scheme to ease traffic in the area but the amount of government funding is yet to be confirmed.

However, negotiations are yet to be completed due to the complexity of the project, according to officers.

The lack of progress has frustrated councillors, who have urged that an agreement should be reached as quickly as possible.

Councillor Vivienne Spikings said at the planning meeting: “They need to jolly well come and get this done…I am not happy with the direction of travel this has taken.”

Councillor Richard Blunt added: “I am supportive of the extension but I am concerned this will become the norm.”

Members added that they did not want to see the developer “wriggle out” of what had previously been agreed last year, when the scheme was approved.

Following the decision, a spokesman for Hopkins Homes, part of Untypical Group, said: “We are pleased that the committee has approved the extension for discussions.

“We appreciate the committee’s understanding of the reasons for why the extension is required.”

“This project represents a significant opportunity to address local housing needs and infrastructure challenges. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure its success.”