Broad plans to build 86 new homes on a former factory site have been given the green light after councillors accepted a reduced level of affordable housing.

The district valuer agreed with brush manufacturer Hamilton Acorn that the council's policy of 40pc affordable housing would make plans for its site on Halford Road, Attleborough, economically unviable.

Instead, councillors yesterday unanimously agreed a figure of 22pc, or 19 units.

The amount could be increased if the housing market improves significantly before the development is completed.

The planning committee previously considered the application in August 2011, when it was deferred for advice about the affordable housing element, and sewage capacity on the site.

Councillors heard that discussions between the Environment Agency and Thames Water confirmed there was sufficient capacity with the existing water system to cope with the new homes.

Councillor Jenny North said: 'It will improve the site, which is becoming quite untidy.'

The factory buildings on the 2.5-hectare site, which would be demolished, are currently largely disused, although some adminis-tration is carried out there.

The company will have to submit a further detailed planning application before any work can start, but the development is expected to be mainly terraced houses, with a central open space.

Attleborough has been earmarked for an expansion of 4,000 homes and 1,500-2,000 new jobs to 2026.