Plans for up to 1,000 new homes in Hellesdon will return to the table next week despite a crucial sticking point of recreation facilities being still unresolved.
Broadland councillors deferred their decision over plans for the first phase, and the outline scheme for the site as a whole, in April over a lack of clarity in the application from Persimmon Homes to build on the Royal Norwich Golf Club site.
The club intends to move to Weston Park, freeing up their current site on Drayton High Road.
And because of the question mark over recreation space, the golf club have now moved to bring their own deal to Hellesdon Parish Council with a separate application which would allow the council to lease the practice range for minimal rent.
David Coventry, treasurer of the Royal Norwich Golf Club, wrote in their application: 'Subject to contract, our proposal is to offer Hellesdon Parish Council the retained section of the practice ground on a 99-year lease at a peppercorn rent to take effect once the club vacates the site.'
But the parish will refuse to take on the lease as it would require a huge amount of work running into millions of pounds.
Shelagh Gurney, chairman of Hellesdon Parish Council, said: 'We have tried exceptionally hard to secure a positive outcome for formal recreation space, but sadly to date this has not been achievable.
'We accept there are going to be houses there but Persimmon has no allegiance to Hellesdon other than to make money.
'As councillors we have always tried to secure the best opportunities for Hellesdon, but this is housing at any cost, and at such a high price Hellesdon will be paying for it.'
For Persimmon to keep recreation provision on site they would need to remove a 'significant number of mature trees', so the alternative option has been floated.
The new application from the Royal Norwich Golf Club will not be discussed at the same time as the Persimmon application, but has been called in to be discussed at a later date.
The Persimmon application will be discussed on June 8, and is recommended for approval.
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