West Norfolk Council’s planning committee has been recommended to approve plans to build on the former primary school at Sedgeford, near Hunstanton.
A planning officer’s report says the village has agreed a neighbourhood plan which includes “a principal residency requirement” which will apply to the application.
Twelve new houses in the school’s grounds, off Ringstead Road are included in the scheme, while the main school building and adjoining headteacher’s house will be converted into eight flats.
Repton Property Developments and Torrington Properties, who are behind the scheme, said in a planning statement the new accommodation “could meet the requirements of the local population, including young couples, families, retired people and key workers”.
Developers initially said including two affordable properties within the scheme would not be viable – sparking an objection from Sedgeford Parish Council.
But the planning report says an independent assessment concluded providing two affordable properties would be viable and the developers have now agreed.
It adds: “The site would provide houses and flats of a mix of sizes, with a housing mix ranging from one bedroom flats to four bedroom detached dwellings.
“The school does not currently serve the local community and the reuse of the building for housing for local people is considered to be of wider benefit.”
Councillors have been recommended to approve the plans when they meet on Monday, January 12 – subject to obtaining legal agreements regarding the affordable homes and principal residence condition covering the rest of the development.
The school closed in 2020 because of falling pupil numbers. People in their 20s and 30s could no longer afford to buy a property in the leafy village, where the average house changes hands for more than £350,000 and almost half of properties are either second homes or holiday lets.
