A 300-home development in Aylsham, which include a new �1.4m fitness centre and modernised swimming pool for the high school, is being recommended for approval by planners.

A 300-home development in Aylsham, which includes a new �1.4m fitness centre and modernised swimming pool for the high school, is being recommended for approval by planners.

Developer Welbeck Strategic Land has applied for outline permission to build the homes on land north of Sir William's Lane as part of a six year scheme which will include new facilities for the school, public open space, two acres of new allotments and a protected wildlife footpath along the River Bure.

The company's original proposals for 300 homes on the site, which is outside Aylsham's development limit, were refused last year by Broadland planners. The amended outline application will be considered during a meeting on Wednesday, November 7.

The new scheme has aimed to address congestion and road safety fears with the inclusion of a roundabout at the A140 junction with Burgh Road, plus a new school car park and entrance from Burgh Road. A previously-controversial secondary access on Sir William's Lane is now reserved for pedestrians and cycles.

The fitness centre and swimming pool - which would be open to the public – are being offered to Aylsham High School for free as part of the Sir William's Lane housing project.

The housing development would be on the same site as the previous proposals and have the same number of homes, a third of which have been allocated for affordable housing.

The initial plans were refused as Broadland district councillors said they did not feel the benefits to the community - which at that time included giving land to the school to develop a sports village - outweighed siting the scheme outside the development boundary.

If the outline proposals are approved, Welbeck will need to gain full planning permission before the scheme can go ahead.