Broadland District Council's planning committee has been advised to approve nearly 4,000 homes on a former US airbase in Rackheath, near Norwich.

The scheme, put forward by Taylor Wimpey, would increase the population of the small rural village from around 2,000 to more than 11,000 - effectively creating an entirely new town.

A map of the North Rackheath development (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Two primary schools, a secondary school, a leisure centre and two shopping precincts also form part of the 3,850 home proposal.

The development sits within the Greater Norwich Local Plan, a blueprint for up to 45,000 new homes across the region over the next 15 years, but has proved deeply controversial. 

Parish councils in Rackheath, Salhouse and Wroxham have all raised objections, citing flooding risks, sewerage capacity, road safety and pressure on GP and dental services.

Norfolk County Council's local flood authority objected to the scheme three separate times before withdrawing its concerns, subject to strict conditions being met. 

What the Rackheath development could look like (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

What the Rackheath development could look like (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Power supply has also emerged as a significant obstacle, with an entirely new electricity substation required before the first people can move in.

Concerns have also been raised about a lack of affordable housing.

Taylor Wimpey is offering just 12pc affordable homes, despite Broadland District Council's own policy requiring 33pc.

The developer argues that anything higher would render the scheme financially unviable - a position planners have reluctantly accepted, though they have secured a review mechanism allowing them to demand more should profits exceed expectations.

The former control tower at the RAF base (Image: Taylor Wimpey)

Officers have recommended approval partly on the basis that Broadland cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, a requirement under planning law that makes outright refusal significantly harder to justify.

A final agreement with Natural England over the development's potential impact on the protected Norfolk Broads remains outstanding before formal approval can be granted.

Broadland planners are set to vote on the proposal on Wednesday, February 25.

© Eastern Daily Press