A major car park at North Walsham could be redeveloped for shops and homes in a bid to boost the town centre, according to a new planning blueprint being drawn up.

A major car park at North Walsham could be redeveloped for shops and homes in a bid to boost the town centre, according to a new planning blueprint being drawn up.

The 140-space Vicarage Street car park is among the areas under the spotlight as officials look to expand the trading potential of North Norfolk's biggest town.

And a large triangle of land off the Norwich Road is also being earmarked for 400 homes as well as employment land, open space and allotments as planners try to blend the demand for new homes with the need for local jobs.

The emerging Local Development Framework, shaping the future until 2026, also tackles the controversial issue of part of the Paston College campus due to be vacated under relocation project - saying the Lawns site should have a mix of retail, commercial and community uses as well as 30-60 homes.

North Norfolk District Council planning officer Mark Ashwell said the idea of developing the car park had been suggested earlier, linked to a possible demolition and rebuilding of the St Nicholas precinct which had since been dropped.

There could be 'some resistance' to losing parking, but there was a need for the town centre to grow to achieve its potential - with the car park and Lawns sites offering opportunities.

'It is a matter of valuing parking against expanded town centre facilities,' he added.

North Walsham needs to find land for another 500 homes to meet its target of another 1100 by 2026.

The bulk of them could be provided on land off Norwich Road, stretching from the empty HL Foods site, through the garden centre to Ladbrook Engineering's factory.

The LDF working party will discuss the latest ideas on Monday, along with looking at Stalham, Hoveton, Catfield, Southrepps, Ludham and Horning. The plan will be subject to a full public consultation in June this year.