Following the examination in public, the Inspector concluded that there was a need for 8,900 new dwellings across the plan period to 2040. The Inspector found issues with the soundness of the plan, the principal issue being a shortfall proposed by the Council in relation to new housing provision. The shortfall identified is approximately 1,000 dwellings.
The Council are currently consulting on a proposed Action Plan following the Inspector’s recommendations to provide new housing site allocations to meet the housing shortfall and provide greater flexibility in the delivery of new housing across the district.
Part of the Council’s proposed Action Plan involves proposing to allocate Land off Mudesley Road (reference: NW16) as a housing site for approximately 330 dwellings in the new Local Plan. This would mean that the new Local Plan would establish the principle of the site for housing, subject to all technical matters being satisfactorily addressed at the planning application stage.
The Council have identified that the site can provide a meaningful contribution of 330 dwellings towards the district’s housing requirement early in the plan period. It is important this housing is delivered as North Norfolk District Council are currently unable to meet the Government’s required 5 year housing land supply as required by the Governments National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It is also important the Council has an up-to-date Local Plan to effectively plan for future growth which will help guide the development needs of the district over the next 15 years.