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Affordable Homes Cut At Thorpe Development

Thursday, 16 July 2026 17:00

The number of affordable homes planned for a 239-home development in Thorpe St Andrew has been reduced from 79 to 29.

The number of affordable homes planned for a major housing development in Thorpe St Andrew has been cut from 79 to 29.

Broadland councillors have agreed to reduce the affordable housing requirement at the 239-home Racecourse Plantation development on the edge of Norwich.

The original planning agreement required 79 affordable properties, but developer Hill Residential argued that exceptional construction and environmental costs had affected the financial viability of the scheme.

Under the revised agreement, 29 affordable homes will now be provided, representing around 12% of the overall development.

The decision means 50 fewer affordable properties will be built than originally planned, at a time when demand for lower-cost housing remains high across the Greater Norwich area.

Councillors considered financial viability information before agreeing to the reduction.

The development itself will still provide 239 new homes, alongside infrastructure and environmental works associated with the scheme.

Developers can seek changes to affordable housing commitments where they argue unexpected costs make an approved development financially unviable.

The decision allows the Thorpe St Andrew scheme to move forward with the reduced affordable housing provision, although the loss of 50 planned lower-cost homes is likely to remain controversial locally.

 

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