A blueprint for where 45,000 new Norfolk homes could be built between now and 2038 has cleared a major hurdle after it won backing from independent inspectors.

It will pave the way for thousands of homes to be built in Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk between now and 2038.

The Greater Norwich Local Plan earmarks land where councils consider the construction of new homes and the creation of jobs could be acceptable.

Diss Mercury: The Greater Norwich Local Plan allocates land which could be acceptable for new homes and the creation of jobsThe Greater Norwich Local Plan allocates land which could be acceptable for new homes and the creation of jobs (Image: Greater Norwich Local Plan)

It includes the allocation of land for 10,000 new homes in Norwich.

Among those sites are the former Colman's factory, the Deal Ground and Utilities site near Trowse - collectively known as the East Norwich Strategic Regeneration Area - where some 3,000 homes could be built.

And the document opens the door for hundreds more homes to be built in places such as Rackheath, Hellesdon, Drayton, Taverham, Wymondham and Thorpe St Andrew.

Diss Mercury: Rackheath could get thousands of new homesRackheath could get thousands of new homes (Image: Mike Page)

Work on the plan has been going on since 2019, when there was a 'call for sites' inviting site promoters, landowners and others to suggest sites for inclusion in the document.

Inclusion in the plan makes it more likely that councillors will grant planning permission for proposals on that land.

After scrutiny by independent inspectors, the plan has been deemed to be legally sound and it is likely to be adopted by Norwich City Council, Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council in the coming weeks.

Diss Mercury: A garden village in Honingham Thorpe had been mooted, but is not in the final planA garden village in Honingham Thorpe had been mooted, but is not in the final plan (Image: Archant © 2017)Not all sites put forward made it into the final plan. Controversial mooted 'garden villages' in Silfield, Hethel and in Honingham Thorpe were not included.

Diss Mercury: Norwich City Council leader Mike StonardNorwich City Council leader Mike Stonard (Image: Archant)

Mike Stonard, leader of Labour-controlled Norwich City Council, said: "Having an up-to-date and adopted plan in place increases the confidence that we can give to developers to invest in our area and is a major step forward in bringing forward sustainable urban regeneration, such as the proposals contained in our East Norwich Masterplan.

"It maximises the prospect of getting the right type of housing in the right locations to meet needs, and enables us to co-ordinate the provision of the supporting infrastructure."

Around 9,000 of the homes earmarked in the plan have already been built, while others will have already secured planning permission, with construction yet to start.

Housebuilding in Norfolk has been in limbo due to the nutrient neutrality directive - rules about pollution which have stopped councils from being able to grant permission until mitigation measures are put in place.