Flooding officers for Norfolk County Council have finally given their support to the development of 450 homes on land west of White House Farm in Sprowston having previously said no four times.

The council's Local Lead Flooding Authority (LLFA), which is an important consultant on major schemes, had raised concerns over the applicant's - trustees of the Richard Gurney Children's Settlement - flood risk assessment for the scheme.

Then, after addressing the LLFA's issues, the authority gave the major development its support with Broadland District Council yet to make the final decision over the application.

But some neighbours living near the land earmarked for the development are still not convinced the area will be able to cope with the additional homes.

One person living on Bolton Road, a few feet away from the site, said the road infrastructure is not in place to support the scheme.

They said: "Both Wroxham Road and Salhouse Road are inadequate for the current traffic levels let alone another 450 dwellings, that's not to mention the 4000 homes planned for Rackheath that will only add to the problems.

"This will impact both road safety and air quality in the area with the constant queues that will happen."

The plans are phase two of a massive 3,000-home project.

Phase one involved the development of around 1,300 homes built north east of Blue Boar Lane as part of the government's orders to deliver 7,000 new homes for the area by 2026.

The plans for the homes first emerged in 2024 during a public consultation held by planning consultants, Bidwells, who are also the agents acting on behalf of the applicant.

© Norwich Evening News