Developer given extra month to finalise homes plan

Developers have been told to "jolly well get a move on" after talks to agree plans for hundreds of new homes overran.

Hopkins Homes has been granted an extra month by West Norfolk Borough Council to finalise the legal obligations it must fulfil before it begins building 1,100 houses.

The developer and council must agree on the amount of Section 106 money it will provide - cash used to support infrastructure - addressing issues such as affordable housing provision, road improvements and school places.

If they do not, work on the initial homes planned for West Winch cannot begin and planning permission for the wider scheme building a total of 4000 new homes in the area will be withdrawn.

A new £109m road linking the A47 and A10 is due to be built as part of the scheme to ease traffic in the area, but the amount of government funding is yet to be confirmed.

The lack of progress has frustrated councillors, who have urged that an agreement be reached as quickly as possible.

Councillor Vivienne Spikings said at a planning committee meeting to agree the extension: "They need to jolly well come and get this done. I am not happy with the direction of travel this has taken."

Councillor Richard Blunt added: "I am supportive of the extension but I am concerned this will become the norm."

Local councillors added that they did not want to see the developer "wriggle out" of what had previously been agreed last year, when the scheme was approved.

Following the decision, a spokesman for Hopkins Homes, part of Untypical Group, said: "We are pleased that the committee has approved the extension for discussions.

"We appreciate the committee's understanding of the reasons for why the extension is required.

"This project represents a significant opportunity to address local housing needs and infrastructure challenges. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure its success."

The project is one of the biggest home building schemes in Norfolk.

140 villagers lodged objections with King's Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council, over fears the homes would put pressures schools, hospitals and doctor surgeries.

Despite the concerns the project was approved in August 2024.

Work on the development is expected to begin in late 2026.

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