Hunstanton new homes construction on Southend Road starts on old car park

Construction begins to turn a car park into a development of flats for local people on Southend Road later this month.

Due for completion later next year, the scheme will offer 32 new homes, six of which will be affordable.

Cabinet member for regeneration and development, Cllr Richard Blunt, said: “This is an excellent scheme. It will provide new homes, with priority given to local people, it has been designed to high standards and it will benefit the town’s economy.”

The £6.8m scheme is the result of a partnership between West Norfolk Council and development firm Lovell. The funding includes a £520,000 Homes England grant under its Accelerated Construction Programme, which helps authorities to deliver new homes more quickly.

The design of the scheme is inspired by the town’s Victorian heritage, with modern elements incorporated to give it a contemporary feel.

It incorporates 12 one-bed, 18 two-bed and two three-bed apartments, based around a central courtyard. Parking and undercroft parking will have EV charging infrastructure built in and secure cycle storage will also be included.

When sold the flats will have covenants on them requiring owners to use the property as their main home, so they are not used as holiday homes or lets, until all local demand has been satisfied.

Works have been scheduled to avoid causing disruption during busy holiday periods as much as possible. The majority of the work will be limited to the site itself.

Cllr Blunt added: “Bringing forward new homes in tourist resorts always presents challenges but we have worked hard to overcome these.

"The result is we can say with confidence that we have a scheme which will help to address housing need and have long-term benefits for the town of Hunstanton.”