Plans for 24 new homes in West Norfolk village given go ahead
Freebridge Community Housing’s plans for 24 new homes in Gayton have been approved by West Norfolk Council.
Outline consent for the application, for homes on land behind the former Rampart Horse pub, had been given the go ahead in August 2016, and the planning committee granted permission for the more specific plans at their meeting in Lynn on Monday.
The former Rampart Horse pub was itself developed into four new homes by Freebridge last year.
The meeting heard that Freebridge intends to make 10 of the homes available for shared ownership, along with 12 affordable rent properties – while two plots will be retained by the original landowner.
The plans also include room for 10 parking spaces for use by residents of the village.
Neil Attwell, representing the parish council, said while they were pleased Freebridge had made some changes to the original plans, they had concerns the site’s entrance was on a “blind bend” which could be an “accident hotspot”.
But some committee members said they welcomed the application, in particular due to the number of people on the housing waiting list.
Lesley Bambridge said: “I checked last week and there were around 900 people with names on the waiting list for social housing and there were 12 or 13 available for rent.”
She added: “We do need new housing.”
Following the approval of the plans, Freebridge’s chief executive Tony Hall said: “These new homes will be a great addition to the village of Gayton and continues on from the successful work we did on the long empty pub site finished last year.
“The majority of Freebridge’s housing is located in the urban areas of West Norfolk, so it’s always good when we’re able to support one of the many rural locations that need homes such as these.
“These new properties will provide opportunities to people in West Norfolk to both rent and own through shared ownership and as such should have a very positive impact on this part of our rural community.”
Work on the new homes is expected to start in the spring/summer of 2020.
