Broadland District Council’s planning committee unanimously backed proposals for 3,850 properties in Rackheath, a village north of Norwich, in a move that will increase the population from around 2,000 to more than 11,000.

The scheme, submitted by Taylor Wimpey, will effectively create a new town on agricultural land south of Stonehouse Road, linking Rackheath with nearby Salhouse. 

A map of the North Rackheath development (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Alongside the homes, plans include two primary schools, a secondary school, a leisure centre and two shopping precincts.

First put forward in 2022, the development forms part of the Greater Norwich Local Plan, which sets out provision for up to 45,000 homes across the region over the next 15 years. 

However, it has proved deeply controversial.

Parish councils in Rackheath, Salhouse and Wroxham objected, citing flooding risks, sewerage capacity, road safety and mounting pressure on GP and dental services. 

What the Rackheath development will look like (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Another graphic of what the homes will look like (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Norfolk County Council’s flood authority objected three times before withdrawing its concerns subject to strict conditions.

Power supply has also emerged as a significant obstacle, with a new electricity substation required before the first residents can move in.

The proportion of affordable housing has been a further point of debate.

Just 12 per cent of the homes are set to be affordable, well below Broadland’s policy target of 33 per cent. 

An aerial photo of Rackheath (Image: Mike Page)

The developer argued that a higher figure would render the scheme financially unviable - a position accepted by planning officers, who recommended approval.

Councillors were advised that, because the authority cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing supply, refusing the application would be difficult to defend on appeal.

During the meeting, members called for “up-front development” to ensure promised infrastructure - which also includes a leisure centre, 3G sports pitch and road connections - is delivered.

Broadland councillor Stuart Clancy (Image: Supplied)

Stuart Clancy, a Conservative councillor, said the scheme was a “massive, massive development, with massive implications” and stressed the importance of representing existing communities.

Rackheath was earmarked for major expansion as an “eco-town” in 2009, but the plans never materialised. 

The historic approval marks the latest in a series of applications to be approved around the village, which is now one of the fastest growing in Norfolk.

The newly approved project is expected to take up to 30 years to complete.

© Eastern Daily Press