A Norfolk authority has given the green light for a number of disused sites to potentially be demolished in the future to make way for hundreds of new homes.

Breckland Council approved its register of brownfield land at a planning meeting, detailing the previously built-on sites which could be redeveloped for housing.

Eight areas have been approved but one site, the only new location on the list, was rejected.

Eastern Daily Press: The Old Maltings in Dereham is one of the sites in the registerThe Old Maltings in Dereham is one of the sites in the register (Image: Google)

The council first created a register in 2017 with 25 sites, since then many have been developed or otherwise removed from the list. 

A site in Mattishall, the Yard Brown Field on Dereham Road, was rejected after officers decided it was not suitable as it would be contrary to the current local plan policies. 

READ MORE: "Promises broken" in Dereham housing development plans 

However, it was noted that an upcoming review of the Mattishal neighbourhood plan could seek to review this.

The eight sites that were approved for potential future developments are:

  • Land south of Whitehouse Lane, Attleborough (Former Grampian Food site Buckenham Road - space for 165 homes, with planning permission granted for the development in 2020.  
  • Land at Dereham Hospital, Dereham – space for 60 homes.
  • Former V A Infant School, Necton – nine homes.
  • D D Dodd and Sons, Chapel Street, Shipdham – planning permission, which included the demolition of a pub, has now expired and subsequent applications for the site have been rejected. 
  • Mellor Metals, Attleborough Road, Great Ellingham – planning permission for 75 homes.  
  • The Old Maltings, Norwich Road, Dereham – planning permission for 127 homes has now expired with discussions “ongoing” to facilitate future development of the site. 
  • The Old Maltings, Norwich Road, Dereham – a second site adjacent to the other Old Maltings land, with space for between 53 and 75 homes. 
  • The Old Waggon and Horses, Chapel Street, Shipdham – a planning application for 90 homes has previously been approved but a separate application of 105 properties is currently being considered. 

The register identifies land that is larger than 0.6 acres or capable of delivering five or more homes and must be “suitable, available and achievable”, with development likely within 15 years.