Latest news with #HopkinsHomes
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Progress on West Winch homes plan over legal agreements
Progress is being made to sign off legal agreements regarding plans to build 1,100 new homes in a Norfolk Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council approved the Hopkins Homes scheme for West Winch in August 2024. The developer and council must agree on the amount of Section 106 money - which supports infrastructure - the authority will provide, addressing issues such as affordable housing provision, road improvements and school legal issues should have been resolved by January 2025. The council said plans to acquire the land had been signed off and that progress was being made on the other issues. Councillors discussed the ongoing delays during their planning committee meeting on Tuesday without members of the public present. They agreed to extend the deadline for concluding the legal agreements, which they were told were "making good progress".The council confirmed said that there were three legal agreements relating to the West Winch development that needed to be agreed with Hopkins Homes. One, covering securing the land for the project, was signed on 27 February 2025. A council spokesperson told the BBC: "We are expecting to sign off the second agreement, which is for the wider strategic infrastructure, within a day or two. "We will use the extension time to conclude the third and final agreement, which deals with site-specific aspects of the application." A spokesperson for Hopkins Homes said: "We are aware of today's internal committee meeting regarding the West Winch development and remain fully committed to working with all parties to advance the project."The developer has been given until 6 April to finalise the agreements after which planning permission can be granted. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Drivers to face 43-mile diversion on rural road
A 43.5-mile (70km) official diversion route on a rural road where a new housing estate is being built has been criticised. Peter Royce, chairman of Great and Little Whelnetham Parish Council in Suffolk said weekend closures on the A134 Sicklesmere Road, just outside Bury St Edmunds, could add 90 minutes to journeys. Abbots Vale developers Hopkins Homes said it had listened to feedback and that Rushbrooke Lane and Low Green would reopen for local residents. Work starts on the road on 17 February, with full closures in place during eight weekends from 21 February to 5 May. Hopkins Homes insisted road closures were needed to "improve traffic flow" and avoid rat-runs. The company said traffic plans had been updated following feedback: "Rushbrooke Lane and Low Green will both now become 'no through roads' and therefore only accessible to residents." Rushbrooke Lane will be closed from the junction of North Hill and only accessible from Rougham Hill. Low Green will be closed at the junction with the A134 and only accessible from Nowton Road. Mr Royce said: "We've got the potential for a three-hour, 90-mile diversion route that is going to cost them an arm and a leg in comparison to the short journey that they did before." He is also concerned smaller, more minor routes could be "destroyed" if they are used as alternative routes. A spokesperson for Hopkins Homes said: "We understand these essential roadworks will cause some disruption, and we are committed to working closely with Suffolk Highways to minimise this as much as possible. "We will closely monitor the impact of these changes from the start of the works." During the week, from 17 February, Sicklesmere Road will remain open, but temporary traffic lights will be in operation. Rushbrooke Lane and Low Green will be closed at their southern ends, accessible to two-way traffic from the north only. The A134 is due to be closed from 20:00 GMT until 05:00 on various weekends between 21 February and 5 May. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Bridge replacement on hold after concrete issues Bus services linking towns and villages extended Great Whelnetham & Little Whelnetham Parish Council Abbots Vale
