A developer has warned that jobs could be lost if work to build the first phase of a major village housing scheme is delayed.

Persimmon Homes has said its bid to construct 650 homes on land at Nova Scotia Farm in Caister-on-Sea could be affected if a decision is not made within the next month.

This is due to an embargo on roadworks necessary to begin construction on Jack Chase Way, which prohibits any work between the end of March to September.

Eastern Daily Press: Persimmon Homes has warned there could be job losses if the Caister housing development is delayedPersimmon Homes has warned there could be job losses if the Caister housing development is delayed

It comes as delays in receiving responses from required consultees, such as from Norfolk County Council's flood experts, meant that members of Great Yarmouth Borough Council were unable to make a decision on the design and layout of the first 173 homes of the scheme this month.

Eastern Daily Press: The development will greatly increase the population size of Caister-on-Sea, a large village to the north of Great YarmouthThe development will greatly increase the population size of Caister-on-Sea, a large village to the north of Great Yarmouth (Image: Mike Page)

Debi Sherman, head of planning at the company, urged members of the council to delegate powers to approve the scheme to GYBC's senior planning officers once these documents were received.

Speaking at a development management committee meeting, she warned that the potential for lengthy delays to starting the work could result in redundancies and it would push back the delivery of much-needed affordable homes.

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But councillors voted to defer the decision, with several members highlighting their wish to have the opportunity to scrutinise the project amid local concerns surrounding the loss of trees and 40-year-old hedgerows on the site.

The effect on wildlife of the major development has been a significant point of contention, which the village parish council continues to make objections about.

Eastern Daily Press: Councillor Carl AnnisonCouncillor Carl Annison (Image: Daniel Hickey)

Councillor Carl Annison said he would "feel uneasy" if the application did not come back to the committee following receipt of the delayed reports.

The decision means Persimmon Homes will face a race against time to start work on the project before the roadworks embargo in the spring.