Controversial housing estate with 574 homes approved by the council

The Knight's Hill development will be built on land to the east of King's Lynn

Controversial plans for a housing estate on the edge of King’s Lynn have been approved.

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has given permission for 574 properties to be built on the site near Grimston Road.

Developer Barratt David Wilson Homes said it hoped to start work on the Knight’s Hill development next May, once archaeological investigations were completed.

The plans have been criticised by four parish councils over traffic concerns.

Parish councils were concerned that traffic on the Knight's Hill roundabout would struggle when the new development was completed

The parish councils of Grimston, South Wootton, North Wootton and Castle Rising said they feared the size of the estate would cause issues on the A148 and A149, unless plans included better bus provision.

James Abbott, the development director at Barratt David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire, said the company was willing to help find solution to any potential traffic and travel issues.

Plans for the estate were initially turned down by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk but were overruled on appeal.

Councillors agreed that the plans should be amended to allow a roundabout to be built at the southern end of the development, so that buses and delivery vehicles could turn more easily and safely.

The development will have affordable housing, a multi-use games area, a car park to serve the ancient woodland of Reffley Wood, space for a community centre and paths and cycle-ways.

The planning meeting also heard that £500,000 would be made available for additional facilities on the estate.