A plan to build 5,000 homes to the north of Thetford has been given final consent by a planning authority after a Section 106 agreement was sealed.
The Crown Estate has received final planning consent for the KingsFleet development, including 5,000 homes, 48 acres of employment land, improvements to local roads and new community facilities.
The consent follows a Section 106 agreement with Breckland Council bringing the total investment in new local infrastructure and community facilities to £150m, according to The Crown Estate.
The first phase of development for 625 homes is being marketed to house builders and developers with a potential start date for construction of autumn 2016.
The Section 106 Agreement for the consented scheme includes the following: three primary schools and one secondary school; bus routes linking KingsFleet to Thetford town centre; improvements to local highways infrastructure; cycle and pedestrian routes; a sports pitch; 48 acres of employment land; and an extension of Thetford Police Station and two new police vehicles.
The KingsFleet scheme will include a mix of detached, semi-detached, terraced housing and apartments and be located on the northern edge of the town, adjacent to Thetford Forest and the A11.
The plans include green space for local community uses, including allotments, a sports pitch and parkland.
Local shops, such as a hairdresser, grocery, café, pubs and restaurants, as well as a place of worship, a nursery and a community hall, will also form part of the scheme.
The land for KingsFleet was allocated for housing in the Breckland Local Plan following submissions from Pigeon in 2010, who also submitted a planning application in 2012.
Following consultation with the local community, the proposals received the approval of Breckland Council's planning committee in April 2014.
Steve Melligan, Strategic Land Manager at The Crown Estate said: 'We are delighted to have reached this important milestone in the development of KingsFleet that reflects our active asset management approach to bringing forward new sites for residential led development.
'Our plans will deliver new high quality homes, jobs and facilities for Thetford, and we look forward to working with a development partner and the local authority to help realise this very exciting project.'
Michael Wassell, leader of Breckland Council, said: 'This is a significant milestone in the development of the area around Thetford and indeed for the wider district.
'It is expected that the much-needed new homes will be built in stages over the coming 20-to-30 years.
'Breckland Council, as a member of the Greater Thetford Development Partnership Board will continue to work with its partners to ensure that this growth is well-managed and that the necessary services for new and existing residents are made available in a timely manner.'
What do you think of the scheme? Let us know by emailing andrew.fitchett@archant.co.uk
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