Town council shows its hand on controversial plans to build 950 homes

The town council has made its position known on the controversial proposals for the first time ahead of a public debate.

The council's development and market committee meeting, to be held at Fakenham Community Centre on Monday evening, will give members of the public the chance to ask questions and make their views known.

The town council will use feedback from the meeting to help shape its response to North Norfolk District Council and this could potentially influence decisions over whether the scheme gets planning permission and what conditions could be added.

An application has gone to district council to build 950 homes, a new primary school and a hotel on land north of Rudham Stile Lane.

If approved, the development could see Fakenham's population increase by around 20pc.

The proposals have polarised opinions in Fakenham with some welcoming the addition of much-needed housing and the boost the larger population would have on local businesses.

Others are worried about how this could impact Fakenham residents' way of life.

Fakenham Town Council said in a statement: 'Fakenham Town Council recognises that this development has been planned for many years and that it is predetermined that it will take place.

'Though it is a huge development, the town council would support it enthusiastically provided its concerns are met.

'It would like to see and discuss with North Norfolk District Council the documents supporting the planning assumptions.'

The town council's concerns include issues around infrastructure, including whether the town's water and sewage could cope with the extra homes; traffic management; impact on the environment; how the development could be integrated with the rest of the town, parking and town centre accessibility.

People can read more details about these concerns at Monday's meeting, at Fakenham Community Centre, starting at 7pm.