WORK STARTS ON 216 ENERGY-EFFICIENT NEW HOMES AT DEREHAM

Work has started on the construction of 216 energy-efficient family homes in Dereham – the first large-scale housing development in the ‘Nutrient Neutrality’ affected area to commence since Natural England put an effective stop to new homes being built across much of Norfolk in March 2022.

The government body told local authorities that they could not permit housing applications within catchment areas of the River Wensum and the Broads because of concerns nutrients created by development could go into waterways and harm species.

Norfolk-based house builder Abel Homes has been working collaboratively with local authorities, its consultants and other bodies, seeking a solution to the impasse, and is delighted to finally be commencing work on the development.

The firm’s managing director Paul LeGrice was joined by senior site manage Tim Walsingham at the site on Swanton Road in the town to symbolically dig the first sod as work got underway.

The Watton-based house builder will be building a mixture of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes on the site, with a quarter being provided as affordable homes.

The new homes will all have the top ‘A’ rating for energy efficiency, including features such as photo-voltaic solar panels, underfloor heating, triple glazing and high levels of insulation, and will also feature fibre broadband direct to each home alongside an electric car charging point.

“We are delighted to be able to start building these much-needed new homes for Dereham,” said Mr LeGrice.  “We have worked really hard with local partners to find a sustainable solution to the Nutrient Neutrality issue, which has caused such a deadlock in allowing new homes to be built.

“All of the new homes we build are to the highest, ‘A’ rated sustainability levels, and far exceed the standards required by building regulations.  We recognise that house builders have a responsibility to ensure that what we do is sustainable, while at the same time helping to provide a solution to the country’s housing shortage.”

The new site at Dereham will include public open spaces, as well as a piece of public artwork commissioned from a local artist – something which Abel Homes has done on every site it has built since 2008.

The first new homes will be released for sale in early spring 2025.  Anyone interested in the new homes can register their interest at www.abelhomes.co.uk.