Hopes of building almost 500 new homes in Costessey have moved a step closer.

Developers want to fill the land between Lodge Farm off Dereham Road and the A47 Longwater Interchange with 495 houses.

A new primary school would also be built along with allotments and a new slip road at the A47.

The homes would fit in a triangle between Dereham Road to the north, the first Lodge Farm development to the east and the A47 to the south and west.

Consultants have now put in a planning application to South Norfolk Council from Taylor Wimpey and Hopkins Homes.

If the homes get permission building work could start in the middle of next year and last for five years until June 2019.

Costessey and Easton have been earmarked for 1,000 new homes under the Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) core strategy – a blueprint for future development in Norfolk.

The homes would form the second part of the Lodge Farm development, where 500 homes are being built.

The application also includes permission for a shop, sports pavilion meeting room, and play areas.

Four homes and farm buildings which are on the site would be demolished.

A third of the homes will be affordable housing and the majority of the estate would be made up of three-, four- and five-bedroom family homes with a proportion of smaller one- and two-bedroom flats, bungalows and houses.

Lodge Farm phase two will be linked to phase one by two roads, together with footpaths and cycleways.

The existing bus service will be extended through the development connecting to Dereham Road at a new access for Lodge Farm.

The new junction will be built on Dereham Road along with a pedestrian crossing.

Developers originally hoped to build 580 homes, but have removed houses from the south of the site for football pitches and greenspace instead, following a consultation with people in the area and Costessey Parish Council.

Do you have a story about Costessey for the Evening News? Contact reporter Tom Bristow on 01603772313 or email tom.bristow@archant.co.uk.