Plans to build 600 homes close to a medieval castle on the outskirts of King´s Lynn have been given the go-ahead.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has supported the planning inspectorate´s decision to allow the scheme at Knights Hill, between the A149 and Grimston Road.

Mr. Jenrick said this was because it would help with the area´s five-year housing supply targets.

He agreed with the inspector´s view that ´this was a matter of significant importance considering the 2019 housing delivery test results were below 85 percent.´

His announcement follows a four-day public inquiry in January into Whistle Wood & Reffley Wood Ltd´s outline application after West Norfolk borough council´s had rejected the scheme.

Objections to the plans were based on the extra traffic the development would generate and its proximity to a grade one listed castle at Castle Rising.

Housing scheme won´t spoil surrounding area

The scheme also involves the loss of some agricultural land but the inspectorate said the harm would be limited due to ´intervening open space, and that the listed building would retain its isolated, rural and open setting´.

Around 20 percent of the homes on the 35.3 ha site is to be affordable with the buildings no higher than two stories. A local community center, sports pitches, cycle, and pedestrian paths and a car park for Reffley Woods would also be created.

The developers will contribute financially to improving the nearby doctor´s surgery as well as the nearby nature conservation sites.

Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said King´s Lynn was a desirable part of Norfolk with it´s proximity to Cambridge making it an attractive place to live and work. Chief executive, Shiraz Khan, said lenders were keen to offer construction loans to builders developing in the area.

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Shiraz Khan
Shiraz Khan is the author of the following content. Shiraz is the managing director and founder of Hank Zarihs Associates, with over 16 plus years of experience in fnance, Hank Zarihs Associates are master brokers within the finance industry. We specialsie in a wide variety of short term funding products.