Norfolk will soon be home to its first co-housing community as a former industrial site is set to be transformed.

Proposals for a Danish-style co-housing scheme in Norwich have been approved by City Hall after nearly a decade in the pipeline.

The project has struggled to get off the ground since a group of people came together to purchase a site on the corner of Sussex Street and Oak Street in 2015.

They set out to create the city's first co-housing community, named Angel Yard, with private properties connected through communal areas and a spirit of sharing. 

Norwich City Council has now granted permission for the development, which is expected to get under way at the end of the year. 

This will see the construction of two four-storey blocks of flats, along with six terraced houses, totalling 34 new dwellings. Those living in the development will share amenity spaces and a communal garden.

Eastern Daily Press: The vacant site near Anglia SquareThe vacant site near Anglia Square (Image: Google Maps)READ MORE: Major 2,000 home development scrapped despite last-ditch plea from developers

Concerns were raised by local people who feared the new flats would dwarf the surrounding homes and harm the character of the streets. 

However, councillors were largely supportive of the unusual proposals. 

Liberal Democrat councillor Judith Lubbock said: "I welcome this new way of building and living in Norwich. This site has been vacant for quite some time.

"This is a really good thing and it's something new for the city which should be welcomed."

Angel Yard cohousing group still need to secure more than £6m in funding for the development, for which they hope to secure a grant from Homes England.

Eastern Daily Press: Rowan Riley and Martha Baulcombe with their daughter HazelRowan Riley and Martha Baulcombe with their daughter Hazel (Image: Newsquest)Rowan Riley, 31, who will be moving into the community with his partner Martha and two children, said: "This decision from the council makes it all the more real, there has been a lot of uncertainty until now.

"It's nice to think that our kids will grow up this way, I would have loved to live somewhere like this as a child. Hopefully, this news encourages more families to sign up."