Revised plans for new homes scheme

Developers who plan to build about 400 new homes in Swaffham have revised their proposals to include a mix of affordable housing and pay a sum of money to support local amenities.

Developers who plan to build about 400 new homes in Swaffham have revised their proposals to include a mix of affordable housing and pay a sum of money to support local amenities.

Norwich-based Gladedale was granted permission by Breckland Council to build the homes on 10.7ha of land at Brandon Road.

The application was approved by the council's planning committee last November but subject to conditions requiring affordable housing,

public open space, sustainable construction standards and financial contributions towards off-site sports facilities and local transport.

Developers have now returned with an amended application which makes provision for 30pc of cheap houses and the use of green building materials. The revised application will be discussed at the council's planning meeting on Monday.

However, they suggest that the obligation to build green homes should only apply to affordable housing and not the entire development.

Alternatively, they propose to keep their commitment to provide an entirely green development if sums paid towards outdoor sports facilities and open space maintenance are significantly reduced or deleted.

A spokesman for Breckland Council said the implications of the changes were under consideration.

Under the revised plans, the huge estate on the former Redland Tiles site in Brandon Road would include 30pc of affordable houses and a large play and sports area.

The estate would be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses and one-bed flats and be accessed off Brandon Road via an improved junction.

Breckland and Swaffham town councillor Ian Sherwood said the town was looking for some planning gain to provide for such a large development.