Freebridge, a social housing provider, had sought permission to demolish the former North Lynn Community Centre and replace it with 22 affordable dwellings.

The housing association, which manages roughly 7,500 properties across west Norfolk, argued the scheme would "regenerate a long-vacant site and deliver 22 high-quality, affordable homes in a location where they are clearly needed".

The derelict community centre would've been demolished as part of the plans (Image: Google)

The proposals would have seen 20 three-bedroom houses and two two-bed maisonettes built on the oval-shaped one-acre site off St Edmundsbury Road.

Nearly all the homes would have been available for social rent.

Planning officers had supported the proposals, saying they complied with local and national planning policy, and flood risk concerns had been addressed by raised floor levels and installing flood-resistant measures throughout.

However, at West Norfolk Council's planning committee on Monday, councillors voted 11 to two to refuse the application, raising concerns about housing density, a lack of green space and the quality of living conditions the development would create.

Conservative councillor Tom de Winton said Freebridge was trying to "cram too much" onto the site and criticised the design.

Mr de Winton raised concerns about the close proximity of the dwellings (Image: Chris Bishop)

"Good design costs as much as bad design and vice versa, and I don't see a particularly good design here," he said.

Martin Storey, also a Conservative, questioned whether the proximity of dwellings to one another represented an acceptable standard of living.

“Would I like to live there, which we have to ask ourselves sometimes?" he said.

"Probably none of us would, to be honest."

He added: "I just don't think that sits well with me, stacking people as close together as this,"

The centre has stood unused since Norfolk County Council closed it in 2014.

Freebridge purchased the site in 2023 with plans to bring it back into use.

© Eastern Daily Press