Homes plans for former Attleborough factory site

Factory buildings used by a company which was once one of Breckland's largest employers could be demolished in place of more than 80 new homes.

Plans submitted by paint brush and decorating manufacturer Hamilton Acorn, which still has offices in Halford Road, Attleborough, seek approval for the demolition of its existing factory and buildings off Hamilton Road.

The outline application also asks for the construction of up to 86 new dwellings on the 2.5ha (about six acre) site with about 0.4ha (about one acre) of open space with play equipment and a main access off Halford Road.

The site, which is surrounded by residential areas with the Cambridge to Norwich railway line and the Gaymer Maurice industrial estate to the south, is currently occupied by a number of buildings used as commercial premises by Hamilton Acorn.

Most are disused although the company still operates part of its administrative services from the buildings.

Other parts of the site are described as scrubby grassland.

Hamilton Acorn announced it was moving its production to Sweden and China in 2009 due to market pressures.

The planning documents said: 'The proposed density is above average but would create a strong and well defined urban structure with a clear sense of identity.

'The proposal makes efficient use of previously developed land in line with national objectives and local policies and a good mix of housing in terms of size and tenure that caters for local need.'