History of the Pinebanks development in Thorpe St Andrew

The sites at Pinebanks, Langley North, Langley South and Griffin Lane in Thorpe St Andrew which are earmarked for new homes <i>(Image: Pinebanks proposals)</i>
The sites at Pinebanks, Langley North, Langley South and Griffin Lane in Thorpe St Andrew which are earmarked for new homes (Image: Pinebanks proposals)
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More than a decade after land was first sold and initial planning applications were put forward, houses are still yet to be built on Pinebanks and surrounding sites in Thorpe St Andrew.

Pinebanks, the site of the former Norwich Union Sports and Social Club, was sold by Aviva in 2009 after the club's closure a year earlier.

Plans to redevelop the disused site were then put forward in 2013.

Neighbouring Langley North and South were once home to Langley Prep School and include part of what was Pinebanks and includes the Grade II-listed Taylor’s Tower.

Griffin Lane is located off the A47 and has a series of tank traps which are located diagonally through the site, a remnant of World War II. Plans are to retain them on site as far as possible.

In January, hundreds of protestors clad with placards marched from Broadland District Council's offices in Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew to Henby Way - which backs onto the Pinebanks site - against the development.

The plans for the Pinebanks, Langley North, Langley South and Griffin Lane sites were submitted in early 2022 when development firm Ocubis outlined its vision to build 575 homes.

New plans were put forward at the end of 2022 reducing the proposed number of homes to 555 - a reduction of more than 23pc.

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