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The biggest affordable housing development in Sheringham for decades is nearly complete.

Developer Flagship Homes, part of Bromford Flagship, is building 24 homes at the site, called West Wood, next to The Reef leisure centre.

Peter Waplington, senior project manager at Flagship Homes, said the roofs had now been finished on the final few homes, marking the project’s ‘topping out’.

Mr Waplington said: “It’s wonderful to see these homes in place, with each one to mark a new beginning for a local family. We’re so happy to celebrate this milestone, and to recognise the hard work and dedication from all the local businesses who’ve helped bring West Wood to life.

“We began construction just over a year ago, so to have 24 homes come together in 12 months is incredible achievement for everyone involved.”

Of the homes, 18 will be for affordable rent (up to 80% of market value, capped at Local Housing Allowance) and allocated to families on the local housing register, and managed by Flagship housing association Victory Homes. The other six will be available through Flagship’s part-rent, part-buy shared ownership scheme.

King’s Lynn-based construction firm EN Suiter & Sons is the principal contractor on the project, which also received grant funding from Homes England.

Steve Gould, managing quantity surveyor at EN Suiter, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Flagship on another lovely scheme. We’ve worked through everything very well together, and it’s nice to see everybody so happy with these new homes.

“We’re also hugely grateful for the work from the local firms and tradespeople who have worked with us on this development.”

Off Weybourne Road, West Wood has views of the sea, the picturesque Sheringham Golf Club, and the North Norfolk Railway’s Poppy Line.

Councillor Wendy Fredericks, North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) deputy leader and housing portfolio holder, said she was delighted to see the homes were almost finished.

She said: “I am absolutely blown away with the quality of this site, with the homes that you’ve built here. They will be loved and adored by the people that move in, and it’s an ideal position so close to the local facilities for everyone to enjoy. I’m incredibly impressed and I want to see more like this built in North Norfolk.”

Steve Blatch, NNDC chief executive, said Sheringham’s popularity among holidaymakers, second homeowners and retirees meant there was a huge demand for affordable housing for locals.
Mr Blatch said: “Sheringham has a very strong sense of community, but there’s a lot of pressure on the housing market.

“It’s great that we’re able to work with Flagship to provide housing that meets local need.”

West Wood will welcome its first new residents in mid-May.