Council identifies sites for 10,000 new homes

The council's plan will focus on providing homes in urban areas

Up to 10,000 homes could be built over the next 15 years as part of a council's local plan.

West Norfolk Council has been told by the Labour government that 10,500 more homes are needed in the district by 2040 to combat housing shortages.

Under its local plan, a quarter of the homes could be built in villages, including Emneth, Grimston and Gayton, Upwell and Outwell and Terrington St Clement.

Jim Moriarty, Independent Partnership councillor and cabinet member for planning and licensing, said: "We estimate that getting to this point has taken in excess of 175,000 officer hours of research, analysis, planning and more."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the planning document would also govern where new housing was allowed to be built while providing a proposal for how the council would meet government-set targets.

The plan shows 54% of housing would be built in urban centres, including King's Lynn, Downham Market, Hunstanton and the outskirts of Wisbech.

Homes would be built within about 79 areas, including 3,759 within King's Lynn.

About 18 areas would have more than 100 new homes.

'Safe homes'

Mr Moriarty said he was "delighted" the plan had been formally adopted.

"It has been a huge piece of work but necessary because the local plan will govern so many council decisions," he said.

"The government tells us how many homes we need to build - our local plan says where, when and how we're going to deliver them.

"This local plan is not just about hitting 'housing targets'; it is about ensuring we build 'homes'. Homes that are safe; homes that respect our heritage and homes that are built mindful of climate change and flood risk."

Out of the 10,000 new homes, 1,562 have either already been completed or are nearing completion.