Norwich: Affordable homes to be built for ex-rough sleepers

The rental properties will be offered to former rough sleepers first, the council said

City councillors have approved plans for affordable homes to be built to house former rough sleepers.

Seven one-bedroom rental properties are set to be built in Kett's Hill, Norwich.

Nearby residents had raised concerns the development could increase crime and anti-social behaviour.

City council officer Maria Hammond said the properties would be offered to former rough sleepers first and then general need in the longer term.

Ms Hammond said the development did not raise any "unacceptable amenity risks", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Privacy issues'

Some neighbours were concerned about possible loss of light and privacy issues.

Jake Lambert, speaking on behalf of the applicant, Broadland Development Services, disputed their concerns.

He said there was an offset between the two properties and they did not believe there would be a "significant loss of privacy for this property in the grand scheme of things".

Mr Lambert called on councillors not to miss the opportunity to provide housing for those less fortunate.

Green Party councillors Sandra Bogelein and Lesley Grahame raised concerns about biodiversity loss on the site and the lack of details on what lost trees would be replaced with.

The application was approved with three Green councillors - Ms Bogelein, Ms Grahame and Gary Champion - abstaining.