Businesses look for new homes

Businesses on Dereham's former Metamec site have been given until the end of March to find new premises to make way for 108 new homes for the town.

Developer Norfolk Homes is due to pass their final hurdle for their scheme for more than 100 homes at the former clock maker's base on Monday.

They need the final go-ahead from Breckland Council for the detailed plans of their scheme on the Moorgate Business Centre, in South Green.

Councillors have been advised to accept the scheme and business at the site have been given until the end of March to vacate their buildings before demolition starts in preparation of building new homes on the site in April.

Terry Harper, development manager of Sheringham-based Norfolk Homes, said all the business at the centre had been given plenty of warning that the area was being turned into homes.

They were informed of Norfolk Home's plans when they bought the site in April 2006, he said.

“When we bought the site we wrote to all the tenants with our plans and we have let the units on cheap and flexible rents and tried to be a good landlord,” he said.

“The buildings are past their best and the roof is leaking. About one third of the units have been vacated already and we have been in contact with Breckland Council's economic development unit to help any tenants find new locations.”

The scheme, which already has outline planning permission granted in 2006, would see 108 new homes in the town. They would be two and three storey homes ranging in size from one bedroom flats to four bedroom detached homes.

Of these 32 would be affordable homes. There would also be an area of green open space and a new access road on to South Green, together with links to existing footpaths and cycleways.

In a report on the proposals, due before the development control committee on Monday, February 4, councillors have been recommended to approve the scheme subject to conditions.