Permission granted for go-ahead of ambitious plan for 82 new homes at The Conge in Great Yarmouth

Following a recommendation from planners, members of Great Yarmouth Borough Council's Development Management Committee agreed at a meeting last night to approve the development.

The application was submitted following the launch of a five-year partnership between GYBC, Broadland Housing and Orwell Housing which is designed to help fulfil the council's vision for regeneration in the borough by increasing the number of new homes and the speed at which they can be built.

The work at The Conge will regenerate a key gateway site linking the railway station and the revamped Market Place and will complement the proposed transformation of North Quay with its mixed-use leisure, retail, hotel and residential development.

Planning officials said the layout will maintain connectivity but transform The Conge from a road dominated by former industrial and commercial buildings into a sustainable, pedestrian-friendly street and community.

The plans include new landscaping and trees, with improved pedestrian and cycle ways. Subject to funding, the mixed-tenure homes will vary between two and four storeys and include flats and semi-detached and terraced houses, all designed to reflect the character of Great Yarmouth.

The proposal is inspired by the industrial heritage of the site and uses a variety of brick types as the dominant material for the homes, with a combination of different roof types to add variation to the street scene

Smaller, high-quality neighbourhood open spaces will see two courtyards between terraced homes. Access to these spaces will be controlled for residents only and, along the southern boundary, a small pocket park will be created. This will connect the development with the existing pedestrian paths that link North Quay and George Street.

The important tree-lined Conge will also be formalised, with planting on both sides to create an avenue-like road which is intended to link with the landscaping of the proposed regeneration of North Quay. Conservation experts, including Historic England, are supportive of the plans and say the development preserves and enhances the character and appearance of surrounding Conservation Areas.

There will be 58 new car parking spaces, either on-plot or in parking courts. A further 16 unallocated, on-street spaces will also be provided. All of the allocated parking bays will have EV charging points. Given the number of commercial businesses that have relocated from the site, planners say there may be a net reduction in traffic in the area.

Officers say the development will integrate with the existing street grid and improve safety as well as reduce unauthorised street parking. Parking provision has been designed to reflect the sustainable location of the site - with walking, cycling and public transport facilities all nearby.

There will be cycle parking with cargo bike storage for townhouses and provision for communal bike stores in flats.

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of GYBC, said: ''This development will deliver important economic benefits for Great Yarmouth. In the short term, jobs will be created through the construction. In the long term, new residents in the town centre will generate increased expenditure within the area. We are confident it will also attract more private investment.

''This ambitious scheme is a key part of the regeneration of the Great Yarmouth waterfront into a vibrant new urban quarter, including providing homes to meet local need, delivering a series of new neighbourhoods, improving the gateway entrance to the town and facilitating an improved link between the railway station and town centre. It will help further the wider regeneration of our borough.''

Councillor Trevor Wainwright, leader of the Labour group at GYBC, said: ''This is excellent news for the borough. It will deliver much needed, high-quality homes in the heart of Great Yarmouth and the housing mix will see the creation of a strong, vibrant and healthy community.

''We are delighted the development will be delivered by Broadland and Orwell Housing Associations, who both have a proven track record of delivery within Norfolk and Suffolk as trusted and reliable social landlords.''

Greg Dodds, Assistant Director of Development and Growth at Orwell Housing association, added: ''We look forward to delivering this high‑quality housing scheme and playing our part in regenerating a historic part of the town. This development will provide much‑needed homes, transform the area and help stimulate the local economy."

Andrew Savage, Executive Development Director at Broadland Housing, said: "Broadland is excited to work in partnership with Orwell and Great Yarmouth Borough Council. We hope this will be first of many projects strengthening the redevelopment of the local area. We see a brighter future with further opportunities to develop more housing in the area, building communities for local people".

Prior to the planning application being submitted, GYBC had successfully secured grant funding from the Future High Streets and Brownfield Land Release Fund that enabled the assembly of land and demolition.

The development of the new energy-efficient homes follows a public consultation on the plans and authority was delegated to officers to approve planning permission subject to matters including a S106 Agreement regarding planning obligations and a number of conditions, including ensuring the work begins within two years and relevant traffic orders and ecology reports.