News that an environmental block on new homes being built across the county has been ditched has been welcomed as a major development for a market town looks to get back on track.
Last week, it was revealed the Fakenham Urban Extension was stuck in limbo and delayed until 2024 by the issue of 'nutrient neutrality'.
Environmental rules meant that councils could not give housing schemes within the catchment areas of the Wensum and the Broads the go-ahead until mitigation measures were in place.
This week, the government changed its policy with housing secretary Michael Gove calling for the eco-rules which have stopped councils in much of the county from being able to grant plans for new homes to be ripped up.
The new measures will mean within months decisions on some of the 41,000 stalled housing schemes in Norfolk can start being made by councils.
Reacting to this, Christopher Cushing, North Norfolk District councillor for Fakenham Lancaster North Ward, said: “I am pleased that the government has acted on nutrient neutrality as it will unlock a large number of planning applications.
“This means a major housing development in Fakenham should be able to proceed.
"This will be subject to finding additional funding for the initial stage of the project which is to build a new roundabout on the A148 Fakenham bypass.
“Discussions are underway to resolve this so I would anticipate work on the roundabout will commence in the autumn of 2024.”
Prime minister Rishi Sunak and housing secretary Michael Gove visited the county yesterday in support of the announcement.
Cllr Andrew Brown, portfolio holder for planning and enforcement at North Norfolk District Council, said: “We cautiously welcome the news about the nutrient neutrality changes.
“The announcement is welcomed in the sense that this is how the government should have kicked it off last year, but we are cautious that we need to see more details on the changes.
“In terms of Fakenham, we are hopeful of getting separate funding, which is taking longer than if the funding had been provided to the developers to unlock that site, and to move the roundabout construction forward.”
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