Development for 31 homes in Newton Flotman given go ahead despite unrest

A Norfolk council has been accused of repeatedly “rolling over” for developers after agreeing cuts to affordable housing.

South Norfolk Council approved plans for 31 new homes in Newton Flotman, which have been in the pipeline for two years.

While seven affordable houses were originally included in the scheme, this was later cut down to four and then zero by the developers, FW Properties, who eventually offered a “compromise” of two properties to be marketed at a lower rent or for shared ownership.

FW Properties has insisted this is necessary because the original scheme was no longer viable due to additional costs – including the need to purchase ‘mitigation credits’ to offset the impact of excess nutrients coming from the new homes and harming Norfolk’s waterways.

This follows nutrient neutrality rules being introduced to prevent nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater entering rivers and harming the environment.

Deborah Sacks, councillor for Cringleford ward, said: “We can’t keep rolling over every time this becomes an issue.

“This is a risk that developers have to take – that’s part of the game. We should have pushed harder for more affordable housing. This happens again and again in South Norfolk.”

The plans were first lodged with the council in 2022 and resulted in more than 30 official objections from local people, who fear the development will turn busy neighbouring roads into an “obstacle course”.

South Norfolk Council’s planning committee voted in favour of the development, meaning work could be under way soon.