New West Norfolk village development the ‘first of its type’

A housing development that provoked massive opposition from villagers is due to get underway this month.

Developers were granted planning permission by West Norfolk Council to develop 10 self-build plots overlooking a new village green in Ingoldisthorpe.

Work on the green field site is expected to be started this month.

Custom Build Enabler Lived•in are working in collaboration with architects Project Orange and AREA on the site which will include a new village green with indigenous species.

Norfolk estate agent company Sowerbys are also working on the project, which allows custom building on the site.

Rebecca Martin, senior sales negotiator at Sowerbys, said: “As this is the first development of this type in West Norfolk, we at Sowerbys are super excited to be a part of it.”

Landowner Ben Marten, who gained outline permission for the site in 2016, said: "I’ve always recognised the village centre’s importance to Ingoldisthorpe, and as a result was determined that any development was of the highest quality and created additional open space for the residents to enjoy.

“It makes complete sense for landowners to stay more involved in the process of delivering new housing and there is a real opportunity to win round both the local community as well as to work with the local planning authority.

"I’m totally convinced this is a key way to stimulate housing that people actually want.

"As a result of this experience I am now providing a service to landowners who may want to do the same through my company Leaper Land Promotion.”

After a petition was held three-years-ago, it was found 90 per cent of the village were opposed to the application.

Planning documents for the new site show the houses will be built around a pond in the village, which will be “increased to a 19th-century size and have its biodiversity improved”.

Native trees will be planted including Oak, Scot Pine, Alder and Weeping Willow.

And each house will have parking to the front with private gardens and walls built from local stone.

Charlie de Bono, director of Custom Build Enabler Lived•in, said: “Giving the home-owner some design control was an even tougher ask, especially considering West Norfolk had never previously approved such an approach on a reserved matters application.

“The additional advantage to this customisation approach is that each house starts taking on its own personality.”