Search to find sites for thousands of new Norfolk homes

Changes in government housing targets mean council officials need to identify fresh locations in Greater Norwich which could be suitable for the construction of new homes.

Under a blueprint for where homes could be acceptable - known as the Greater Norwich Local Plan - the Greater Norwich Development Partnership had identified where 45,000 new homes could be built between 2018 and 2038.

The adopted Greater Norwich Local Plan outlines where thousands of homes could be built, but it now needs to be reviewed (Image: Greater Norwich Local Plan)

But since that plan was adopted in 2024, the government has increased the housing targets for Greater Norwich by 34pc.

It means Norwich City Council, Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council will have to find sites which would provide almost 2,600 homes a year between now and 2046 - up from 1,929 homes a year under the previous plan.

The councils need to review the Greater Norwich Local Plan to include extra locations and on Monday (February 9) it launched a 'call for sites'.

That invites developers, landowners and other interested parties to suggest places which could be suitable for new homes.

It could also revive previously mooted proposals for a new town or garden village, at Honingham Thorpe, Hethel and Silfield.

Developers put those sites forward during the previous local plan process, but they were not included in the plan at that time.

Sites need to be found for thousands of new homes (Image: Chris Bishop)

The call for sites lasts until Monday, March 23. Council officers will then have 30 months from the end of June to get a new plan in place following analysis of the sites which have been put forward.

Independent inspectors will need to scrutinise the plan before it can be adopted.

Inclusion in the plan makes it more likely councillors will grant planning permission for proposals which come forward for that land, while it becomes easier for the council to reject schemes on sites not included within the plan.

Daniel Elmer, leader of South Norfolk Council (Image: Simon Finlay)

Daniel Elmer, chairman of the Greater Norwich Development Partnership and Conservative leader of South Norfolk Council, said: "An up-to-date plan doesn't just meet government mandates - it places the tools for growth directly in the hands of our local communities, ensuring we build homes where they make sense, supported by the roads, employment areas and green spaces people need."

Sites can be put forward at https://gnlp.oc2.uk/document/89