A development of more than 40 affordable houses on a derelict site in north Norfolk has been unanimously approved by councillors.

Social housing landlord Victory Housing Trust had applied to North Norfolk District Council to build 43 homes in Laundry Loke, North Walsham, on land neighbouring the bus depot.

These plans were unanimously agreed by members of the council's planning committee on Thursday, though concerns were raised around noise pollution from the depot.

Members heard how eight of the proposed homes would be particularly close to the depot's boundary and in earshot of where buses are pressure washed.

In a bid to mitigate this, it was proposed a 3ft noise barrier be built and - in what proved to be a contentious issue - that these houses be fitted with forced ventilation and sealed windows.

Virginia Gay, district councillor for North Walsham (west) said: 'The site has been unused so when I heard there was interest in a development of social housing I was pleased.

'The noise pollution issue does trouble me though. I would not want to live somewhere where I could not open my windows.'

Vivienne Uprichard, for North Walsham (east) added: 'Extra social housing is welcome and I am very encouraged by the design of the site.

'However, I am also not happy about the sealed windows,'

However, Phillip Rowson the district council's head of planning said the sealed windows were a 'safety net', in case an alternative solution could not be found.

He said: 'Our officers will do all they can to not have to take that option, but in case that cannot be done this safety net is needed.'

Norfolk County Council's highways department had originally objected to the proposals, however, this was later withdrawn,

The development will be built on land formerly occupied by a laundry site, at the southern end of Laundry Loke.

Despite the concerns around noise pollution, the committee unanimously voted in favour of the plans.