Fakenham Highfield Road car park could be sold for housing

North Norfolk District Council has proposed selling off the Highfield Road car park in Fakenham to developer Flagship to be used to build affordable homes in the market town.

It follows the site making just £3,862 in income last year while visits to assess its use showed on average just eight vehicles parked in one of the 75 bays available.

Wendy Fredericks, cabinet member for housing and peoples' services (Image: Newsquest)

At a meeting this week, cabinet members have agreed that the car park is no longer required and the council will now begin negotiations with the developer to progress the scheme.

Councillor Wendy Fredericks, portfolio holder for housing and people's services, said it was an "exciting project" and hoped it would bring much-needed affordable homes to the district.

The existing toilet block will be demolished as soon as possible to progress the sale as quickly as possible to prevent antisocial behaviour and to ensure there are no delays to the sale of the land.

It is expected the sale could make more than £300,000 for the council, subject to a planning application being accepted before the sale.

This will also determine the final sale value, which will be in part dictated by the number of homes that can be built on the site.

Members highlighted that nutrient neutrality rules - an environmental policy that aims to protect pollution entering rivers - could affect the scheme and limit the number of properties that can be built.

A small number of parking spaces to the east of the site will be retained for locals living nearby.

Councillors voted unanimously to push forward with plans to sell of the land for housing.