A major development which will see 145 new homes built in Cromer has been given the provisional go-ahead.

North Norfolk District Council's (NNDC) development committee voted yesterday to approve the Norfolk Homes scheme for a 12.85-acre farmland site off Roughton Road.

But there was disappointment that, for 'viability reasons' the number of affordable homes in the development would be 40, rather than NNDC's target of 65, or 45pc.

Alan Presslee, on behalf of Norfolk Homes, said viability issues meant they could not provide renewable energy on the site either.

Eric Seward said the council was, once again, caught between a rock and a hard place. If the plan was turned down, no affordable homes would be built, but they were being asked to approve a scheme with fewer than required because of the system of housing development and the often-prohibitive cost of land.

Access to 37 of the new homes would be via the existing exit on to Roughton Road from the Amazona Zoo.

Further accesses to Roughton Road would be provided, one serving 101 homes, and another, seven.

Members heard that a hedge along Roughton Road would have to be removed and replaced behind a new footpath.

The plan also includes public open space, a cycle path and an upgraded public footpath running into the town centre with barriers to a pedestrian island opposite Cromer Academy, on Norwich Road.

A pond, youth shelter, kick-about area, and wildflower/biodiversity area also feature in the application.

It will be approved once re-advertised - because of the changes in renewable energy provision - if no new grounds of objection are lodged. It will also be subject to a string of conditions.