14 affordable homes being built near North Walsham despite hundreds of objections
Corin Pitchers of Wellington (left), Faith Davies of Victory Housing Trust (centre) and Anna Benson of Wellington cut the first sod at the site in Knapton. Picture: Newman Associates PR - Credit: Archant
Work has started on a controversial £2m project to build 14 affordable homes in Knapton, near North Walsham.
Due for completion in the summer of 2020, it will provide seven homes for affordable rent, and seven for shared ownership.
Victory Housing Trust delivery manager Faith Davies joined Corin Pitchers and Anna Benson from contractor Wellington to cut the first sod at the site,
Thirteen houses and one bungalow will be built on the site, between School Close and Mundesley Road in the centre of the village. which will include public open space and a parking area for Knapton village hall.
Ms Davies said: "It is important that our development programme provides new affordable homes in smaller rural villages as well as in our market towns."
The new homes are being built by Lowestoft-based contractor Wellington.
Mr Pitchers, an architectural technologist with the firm, said: "Not only is this providing much-needed homes for local people, but it is also creating employment for local people as well."
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Plans for the homes were approved in 2018, despite strong objections from residents.
Councillors on North Norfolk District Council's development committee passed the application by eight votes to four.
It was approved with the condition that Victory used more flint, rather than red brick, so the homes were more in keeping with the village, and that a boundary hedge and memorial trees planted in memory of loved ones about 20 years ago were kept on the site.
The Highways Authority objected to the plans, and there were 100 further objections sent to the council. A petition with more than 300 signatures was also gathered.
