Projected cost of West Winch Housing Access Road which will unlock thousands of new homes rise by almost £25 million

The projected cost of a scheme to construct an access road that will unlock “significant housing growth” in West Norfolk has risen by almost £25 million.

It comes as Norfolk County Council’s cabinet is set to meet at the start of next month to consider recommendations for the West Winch Housing Access Road project, which is set to enable up to 4,000 new homes to be built in the area over the next 20 years - making it the biggest housing project in West Norfolk.

There is also a revised timeline for the scheme - with construction due to start in spring/summer 2026, but with the aim that the road will be open to traffic before the end of 2027. It was previously said that construction would begin in 2025 and take around two years to complete.

This timeline means that it is still due to be delivered before any significant housing development has taken place in the area.

The paper, due to be discussed on Monday, September 2, will update cabinet members on the progress of the project and seek approval to proceed with the continued delivery of the access road in light of the revised timeline and financial position.

With cabinet agreement, the county council plans to submit an updated Outline Business Case (OBC) to the government.

The updated project cost is expected to reach £109.2m, an increase from the previous budget of £84.47m.

County council officials say the increase is due to a number of factors, including delays related to the statutory approvals processes and impacts brought on by the general election, as well as a significant increase in the cost of diverting two high-pressure gas mains.

It comes ahead of a special West Norfolk Council planning committee meeting next week to determine the fate of the first 1,100 homes of the scheme and following a consultation on the proposals to construct hundreds of new homes, a school and the access road this week.

The borough council’s planning officers have recommended this stage of the project for approval.

Cllr Jim Moriarty, cabinet member for development and licensing at West Norfolk Council, said: “Rises in the cost of projects, goods and services have been a regular topic in the news for the past four years so we should not be surprised that the cost of this project has also risen.

“This road is an important part of the West Winch Growth Area and the opportunities that growth will bring to the borough of West Norfolk so we welcome the steps the county council is taking to safeguard its delivery. This supports our joint commitment to an infrastructure-first approach.

“The cost of this project does not have a direct impact on the Hopkins Homes application that is going to planning committee on Wednesday (August 28) so the report on this proposal is unaffected by today’s announcement.”

The Department for Transport (DfT) is being asked to meet the majority of the project costs, subject to the approval of the Outline Business Case.

There will also be a local contribution that is primarily funded by the future housing developments, which will be forward-funded by Homes England.

Grahame Bygrave, lead director for infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said: “Recent events, including the general election, have impacted our timeline for delivery and costs across the sector have continued to rise since our original Outline Business Case was developed and submitted to government.

“We remain committed to our ‘infrastructure first’ delivery of this key project and continue with our aim for it to be delivered as soon as possible and will await the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, when we hope to receive further updates from the government.”

The recommendations also include an increase of £1.4 million to a temporary contribution from the county council and the delegated authority to continue to progress with the planning process, procurement and land acquisition.

The planning application for the new road is currently going through the statutory process with the County Planning Authority.

The council is continuing to work in partnership with West Norfolk Council to develop plans for the West Winch Housing Access Road which will serve the South East King's Lynn Growth Area (known locally as the West Winch Growth area) which will see up to 4,000 new homes built over the next 20 years.

The cabinet will consider the report when it meets at 10am on Monday, September 2. The meeting can be viewed live or afterwards on YouTube and the reports are available to read online via the county council’s website.