Homes on hold since 2015 given go ahead

The building of more than 200 homes have been approved for Dereham

Some 216 homes will be built after nearly a decade in the pipeline.

The plans to build housing on farmland along Swanton Road in Dereham, which were first considered in 2015, have been granted approval by Breckland Council.

The development had been subject to objections from Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust, which raised concerns about the impact of increased traffic at the nearby level crossing.

Dereham Town Council had also been concerned about the crossing.

Dereham Town Council said: "While we are generally happy with this development, we are extremely unhappy and concerned with the proposed treatment of the level crossing.

"The proposal only provides for a footway on one side of the level crossing, and the council finds this wholly unacceptable and unsafe."

However, Breckland Council officers argued that the matter had already been agreed in an outline planning application – which was approved in 2020 – and said it was "not a point for consideration".

Final plans for a total of 216 homes were given the green light by Breckland councillors.