A threat of legal action could have secured a better deal for the future of 1,000 homes in Hellesdon.

In June, members of the Broadland District Council planning committee approved the scheme from Persimmon Homes at the current site of the Royal Norwich Golf Club, on Drayton High Road.

At the time representatives from Hellesdon Parish Council refused a 99 year lease for the practice pitches at the golf club to fulfil the formal recreation allocation for the site, and said the decision to grant the plan with no detailed provision was 'shameful'.

Subsequently, the parish council instructed solicitors Spires LLP they would be willing to take legal action if their demands were not met.

The application will now return to Broadland next Wednesday, with Persimmon indicating they will address many of the issues raised by Hellesdon Parish Council.

They include deletion of trim trails and a community building as formal recreation space, greater clarity on provision of formal recreation areas, provision of allotments, and certainty over payment of a commuted sum.

The deal still leaves a shortfall of 2.16 hectares of formal recreation space.

At the full meeting of Hellesdon Parish Council last night, councillors agreed revisions, including siting a clubhouse and car park next to the school, were probably the best deal they were going to get.

'This is probably the best compromise we will get in these negotiations,' said chairman Shelagh Gurney

'We think there is a significant improvement. It only works because of the tangible advantages to the school. We are still disappointed we have not got the full quota of land.'

The planning committee will also review changes to the road infrastructure, which have been amended after the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust pulled out of talks over the future of land at the Hellesdon Hospital site.