An aerial view of the site at Newfound Farm, Cringleford, where Barratt Homes wants to build 850 homes. Photo by Mike Page.

Proposals for 850 homes on the outskirts of Norwich have been officially unveiled to the public, ahead of developers seeking planning permission for the scheme.

Barratt Homes wants to build the homes, along with a new primary school, community facilties, allotments and public open space on a 52-hectare site at Newfound Farm, in Cringleford.

The land is owned by the John Innes Foundation and bosses of that charity say the scheme would provide housing for workers at the nearby Norwich Research Park, while recepits from the sale would help fund a future generation of young scientists.

Cringleford has been earmarked for an extra 1,200 homes by 2026 in Greater Norwich Development Partnership’s Joint Core Strategy.

At the end of 2010, the developer had put forward proposals for 2,000 homes on the site, but Cringleford Parish Council made clear that number was far too high.

But developers have returned with a revised scheme, which they believe fits in with a neighbourhood development plan the parish council has recently drawn up.

The scheme would feature three and four bedroom detached and semi-detached properties, two and three bedroom terraced homes, two bedroom departments and bungalows.

Some of the homes would be available as affordable housing, with the others for sale on the open market, developers have said.

The site would also feature a new primary school and playing field and community facilities, which could include one or two shops.

The proposals were unveiled at a public exhibition held at Cringleford Pavilion on Friday and Saturday, which about 100 members of the public, including parish councillors, visited.

Peter Biggs, planning manager for Barratt Homes said: “We are pleased with the interest shown in the proposals for the Newfound Farm site and appreciate the time those who attended took in discussing the scheme with us.

“The feedback we receive following the public exhibition will further help inform the development of the scheme ahead of the plans being finalised and submitted to the council.”

Frank Oldfield, chairman of the John Innes Foundation trustees, said receipts from the sale of the land, if planning permission is secured, would go to the charity.

He said the money would remain in Norfolk and would be used to provide more Foundation-funded studentships at the John Innes Centre.

Sue McKinnon, chairman of Cringleford Parish Council, said a number of parish councillors had been to view the plans and would formulate a response once an application for planning permission is lodged.

Developers are looking to submit a planning application to South Norfolk Council in April and are hoping the council’s planning committee will make a decision on the scheme in September.

What do you think of the proposals? Write to Evening News letters at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE, or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk

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