Delivery group set to look at development for West Winch site

A delivery group looks set to be formed to facilitate the anticipated development of thousands of new homes on the edge of Lynn.

Plans to work with county and parish council leaders and landowners to develop an initial application for development around West Winch and North Runcton were backed by West Norfolk Council cabinet members on Tuesday.

But officials have also reiterated that alternatives would have to be found if a new multi-million pound relief road cannot be delivered as part of the process.

And council chiefs believe collective working with small and large landowners alike is the best way to move the project forward.

Development portfolio holder Richard Blunt said: “This is not just a plan, but a whole community that is being delivered. This site is made up of a lot of other landowners who do need our support.”

The meeting was told that the authority could use compulsory purchase powers if landowners were unwilling to engage with the project, though Mr Blunt said the council did not want to go down that route.

He added: “We want to work with all parties together to produce a package from a holistic point of view.”

The road is a key part of a broader infrastructure delivery plan, which is now set to be put to the full council later this month.

Consultation with a range of public services including emergency services, public transport providers and utility companies will form part of the process.

There have been fears that current traffic issues on the existing A10 would be made far worse without a new relief road.

And council leader Brian Long said the authority would be “remiss” if it did not try to resolve the issue.

He said: “If it cannot be delivered without having a negative impact on the A10 then the whole thing will have to be looked at and could cause the site to be de-activated.”