The redevelopment of a massive section of the city, which will see thousands of homes built, is still on track, council bosses have insisted. 

City Hall leaders have long trumpeted the East Norwich Masterplan as a major scheme where 3,600 homes can be built, with 4,000 jobs created. 

Now Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, has insisted the project is going ahead as planned and should not be hampered by new rules on house building to prevent excess nutrients from getting into the waterways and polluting wildlife.

READ MORE: What is the East Norwich Masterplan?

The 'nutrient neutrality' restrictions, introduced by Natural England, are intended to stop large quantities of nitrogen and phosphate from harming protected species in the River Wensum and the Broads.

It has effectively banned housebuilding in large parts of the county, until measures can be introduced to offset the impact.

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

Mr Stonard said the East Norwich Masterplan is "still on target" and hopes building work can start in 2025.

While the city council has developed its own measures to offset nutrients entering the water - which has allowed projects like Anglia Square to progress - Mr Stonard said East Norwich was too large and would require a bigger scheme.

Norfolk councils and Anglia Water are launching a system that allows developers to buy mitigation credits to enable building works to go ahead, potentially including the East Norwich project.

Eastern Daily Press: Mike Stonard leader of Norwich City CouncilMike Stonard leader of Norwich City Council (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

The East Norwich Masterplan site is made up of Carrow Works, home of the former Colman's and Britvic factories, the Deal Ground and May Gurney sites in Trowse, plus the Utilities site near Whitlingham. 

For the masterplan to go ahead it will need to be included in the Greater Norwich Local Plan - a blueprint for where almost 50,000 homes could be built in and around Norwich by 2038.

Mr Stonard expects that to happen in 2024.

Some planning applications are already been put in, including a 670-home scheme on the Deal Ground, which was submitted late last month.