The sale of the Royal Norwich Golf Club to developers Persimmon Homes has finally been agreed in a £17m deal after plans for up to 1,000 homes were approved for the site.

Norwich Evening News: Architects' image of the Persimmon development on the Royal Norwich Golf Club. Image: Concept ArchitectureArchitects' image of the Persimmon development on the Royal Norwich Golf Club. Image: Concept Architecture (Image: Concept Architecture)

The club had been hoping to relocate their home to Weston Park for a number of years as the Royal Norwich Golf Club site was no longer fit for purpose.

After the planning committee at Broadland District Council approved the first phase of a development of almost 1,000 homes over the Hellesdon golf course, the doors were opened for the move.

Current members of the club will continue to use the course in Hellesdon until 2019, when the diggers will move in and begin delivering the houses.

Work on the Weston Park course is expected to begin this month with a view of opening in early 2019, ready for the change of venue.

Today it emerged the deal between the Royal Norwich Golf Club and Persimmon Homes for the land amounted to £17m.

'We are absolutely delighted to have signed the agreement,' said David Coventry, Chairman of Royal Norwich Golf Club. 'This has been a long process for members, the various committees and individuals who have been involved in the project, but we can finally start the next exciting phase in the development of Royal Norwich.'

Following the sale, investment will be made immediately at the Royal Norwich Golf Club to ensure the venue is sustainable until 2019.

The new home for Royal Norwich Golf Club will be developed into an 18-hole and academy course and a new club house.

As the first phase of the Persimmon scheme was approved in June one of the main sticking points at Broadland District Council was congestion on Drayton High Road.

Under the plans the road will become a dual carriageway but only within the boundaries of the new homes, leaving bottlenecks south towards Asda, and north past the Hospital Lane roundabout.

Councillor Alan Mallett, for Coltishall, said at the time: 'This scheme will affect a great many people. It would make more sense to do a complete job at this stage rather than leave it for someone else in the future.'