Decision due over nearly 100 new homes at Harleston

Cripps Development Ltd is looking to secure planning permission for 89 new homes on 7.8 acres of land to the north of Spirketts Lane in Harleston.

The Beccles-based developer lodged plans for what it describes as a "high-quality landscape and design-led sustainable scheme" with South Norfolk Council last summer.

And next week, members of the council's planning committee will decide whether or not to grant permission for the houses.

The proposed homes would be a mixture of houses, flats and bungalows, ranging from one to four bedrooms.

Harleston (Image: Newsquest)

The bulk of the homes would be available on the open market, but 30 would be affordable homes - provided at below-market prices to households who cannot afford to buy or rent a home which suits their needs.

READ MORE: Lidl bosses still unsure when new Harleston store will open

Planning officers are recommending approval, despite concerns about traffic and whether schools and the doctors' surgery will cope with more families in Harleston.

Harleston Town Council had objected to the proposals, saying the developer should have to put money into local healthcare and for education provision.

READ MORE: Decision means Harleston Barclays bank closure edges nearer

The town council also feared the development would lead to extra traffic on nearby roads, including Spirketts Lane and Mendham Lane.

However, officers, in the report which will come before councillors, said the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, had claimed Harleston Medical Practice had capacity for extra patients and no contribution for expansion was needed.

Officers said there is capacity in the town's nursery and primary schools, but community infrastructure levy money - a charge levied on developers - would be used to help provide a dozen extra spaces for secondary school pupils.

The planning committee will make a decision when it meets next Monday.