Major plans for 3,500 homes on the city's outskirts have reemerged after the developer that bought the site was revealed.
Beeston Park is set to be one of the biggest housing developments in Norfolk when completed and will see 600 acres of land transformed into 3,500 homes and a health centre, community centre, library, shops and cafes.
The project has been rumbling on since 2009 when former developers U&I and promoters Town formed part of a team that prepared a vision for the project, which will sprawl to the north of Old Catton and Sprowston, most of it between North Walsham Road and Wroxham Road.
Outline planning permission for the project was given by Broadland District Council in 2013 but work stalled while the five landowners - including Norfolk County Council - waited for developers to buy the land.
Now it can be revealed that the site was sold last December and that work could even start later this year.
A spokesman for housing developer Quinn Estates said: "In December 2023 the site was acquired by Stretton Beeston Ltd, working in partnership with Quinn Estates Ltd to act as master developer and deliver strategic infrastructure to enable the delivery of Beeston Park to come forward without further delay.
"Quinn Estates is the south-east’s foremost mixed-use developer, focussed on delivering jobs, homes, game-changing infrastructure and exceptional community gains."
The developers are behind some of Kent's biggest construction projects, including Herne Bay Sports Hub - a £10m, 15-acre facility for four local sports clubs and the community - and a £1m construction and engineering training centre with East Kent Colleges.
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This will be their first major project in Norfolk and will incorporate the building of homes with infrastructure, such as roads, schools and commercial buildings.
Conservative district councillor for Old Catton and Sprowston West, Karen Vincent, has followed the project closely since she was elected in 2015.
She said: "I've had a keen interest since being elected due to the sheer scale of the development, which will impact the community, especially while it is being built.
"I raised the concerns of several Old Catton residents in 2019 and will continue to take an active interest in the development as it progresses."
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Ms Vincent has met with Broadland councillors and representatives from Quinn Estates to find out more.
She continued: "Phase one of the project will be built in Old Catton, on the field behind West Acre Drive and Edgefield Close, and will be some of the nearest development for those residents.
"They are likely to start work on a new road, which will run between St Faith's Road and Buxton Road, before the end of the year.
"Once I have more detailed plans then I will share them with Old Catton and Sprowston residents."
Richard Potter, a Conservative district councillor for the Old Catton and Sprowston West ward, has stressed the importance of the quality of life of those affected by the building work.
He said: "I've not seen any updated plans but it's important that any new plans retain the schools, community centres and green spaces originally planned.
"The lives of the local residents should not be degraded because of a new development so those proposed facilities should remain as a minimum.
"I understand that the development promoters had said the plans include a large new country park and recreation grounds and numerous smaller parks.
"This is something we should get excited by because we can boost the housing stock of this fine city but also preserve green spaces where possible to ensure that locals have the quality of life they deserve.
"Beeston Park is a beautiful area and if the correct infrastructure is in place then it is something we should welcome with open arms."
Since the start of March, the developers have started finalising details with Broadland District Council and have submitted minor revisions, including details around on-site parking for construction workers and construction traffic management.
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There were fears that Norwich Rugby Club would be moved due to the building work, but the most recent plans show that the site will remain in its current location.
Sarah Vincent, clerk of Old Catton Parish Council, said: "We're pleased to see that this project is now moving forward.
"We are now awaiting a meeting with Broadland District Council and the site developers to discuss the positive impact on the parish.
"We look forward to seeing how the development will benefit Old Catton."
The project is expected to take around 20 years to complete.
The Greater Norwich Local Plan
The Greater Norwich Local Plan will pave the way for thousands of homes to be built in Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk.
The blueprint includes 45,000 new Norfolk homes to be built by 2038, with around 9,000 already built.
However, Norwich City Council recently refused plans to redevelop former Colman's Mustard factory site Carrow Works, which would have brought 2,000 homes and developers pulled out of a £300m Anglia Square revamp - both of which are included in the GNLP.
Norwich, Rackheath, Hellesdon, Drayton, Taverham, Wymondham and Thorpe St Andrew are some of the areas that could be developed.
Work on the plan has been going on since 2019 when site promoters, landowners and others were asked to suggest locations that could be included in the document.
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