40 homes proposed for Dereham's former Crane Fruehauf site

Kathryn CrossThe former Crane Fruehauf factory site in Dereham could be turned into a residential development after outline plans were submitted to Breckland Council.Kathryn Cross

The former Crane Fruehauf factory site in Dereham could be turned into a residential development after outline plans were submitted to Breckland Council.

The site on South Green, which has lain empty since 2005 when the trailer maker collapsed with the loss of 345 jobs, is now owned by City & West End Property Investments but they have been unable to find a new tenant for the buildings.

According to the design and access statement, the purpose of applying for outline permission is so that the land can be sold to a housing developer who would then submit the detailed plans.

But with the layout based on standard three-bedroomed homes, it is estimated that 40 dwellings could be built on the brownfield site which sits on a parcel of land surrounded by recently developed residential areas.

The statement says that any subsequent application for full planning permission should give consideration to providing energy efficient measures such as solar water heating and rainwater harvesting.