Millions of pounds of government money is being sought to unlock stalled plans for thousands of new Norfolk homes.

Council officers are asking the government for £12m in grants to help overcome the nutrient neutrality limbo which, for more than a year, has stopped councils approving new housing.

Eastern Daily Press: Decisions on new homes has been stalled across much of NorfolkDecisions on new homes has been stalled across much of Norfolk (Image: Archantt)

In March last year, councils across much of Norfolk were told by government advisors Natural England they could not permit planning applications for homes within the catchment areas of the River Wensum and the Broads.

That was because of concerns extra nutrients created by homes could go into waterways and harm species.

READ MORE: Norfolk homes limbo blasted by South Norfolk's John Fuller

Council bosses have launched a new scheme, through a joint venture with Anglian Water, through which housebuilders will be able to 'offset' the impact of developments by buying 'credits' to fund mitigation measures. A website is up and running.

But council bosses have applied for cash from the government's Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund would help pay for improvements to wastewater treatment works, provision of septic tanks and natural schemes - providing mitigation to allow decisions over homes to be made.

Eastern Daily Press: Concerns were raised over the impact of nutrients on the BroadsConcerns were raised over the impact of nutrients on the Broads (Image: Archant)

Major housing schemes, such as Norwich's Anglia Square have their own mitigation schemes, which means councils have been able to take decisions on those.

The credit scheme will help get decisions made on smaller-scale schemes, but within the construction industry, there have been rumours it could be December until that happens.

READ MORE: Nutrient neutrality snag saw Sprowston homes pulled

Eastern Daily Press: Phil Courtier, director of place at Broadland and South Norfolk councilsPhil Courtier, director of place at Broadland and South Norfolk councils (Image: Simon Finlay Photography)

But Phil Courtier, director of place at Broadland and South Norfolk councils, who likened the process of getting to a position where planning decisions can be made again to turning an oil tanker, said: "I still maintain the first tranche of credits and planning decisions is likely to be by the end of the summer."

He did concede it was likely housing schemes in the catchment area of the Yare would be dealt with first, as the mitigation measures associated with that area were likely to be available soonest.