Work has started on a development of 34 affordable homes in Stalham.

Called St Benet’s Place, the homes are being built by Flagship Homes – part of the country’s biggest provider of new affordable housing, Bromford Flagship LiveWest (BFL).

The development sits off Yarmouth Road and includes 25 homes for affordable rent, which will be let to families on the local housing register, capped at a maximum of the Local Housing Allowance rate. There will also be nine homes for shared ownership – a hybrid between renting and buying that offers an affordable way onto the housing ladder.

Tony Tann, Managing Director of Flagship Homes, said: “St Benet’s Place will deliver 34 affordable homes, a blend of homes for rent and for shared ownership, giving local people a genuine route to a secure and affordable place to live.

“We’re proud to be working with our partners to get them built, and we are looking forward to seeing the first families move in.”

Hampshire-based firm Medcentres is the main delivery partner on the project, working with its in-house contractor HCC Construction.

The development is being delivered in partnership with North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) and is part-funded through Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme.

The name St Benet’s Place nods to the deep history of the area. Stalham was among the places where St Benet’s Abbey held land and churches in the medieval period, with the abbey itself founded around 1020 by King Cnut on a marshy island site by the River Bure. It remains the only English monastery never formally dissolved by Henry VIII, and the Bishop of Norwich still holds the title of Abbot to this day.

The first homes at St Benet’s Place are expected to be ready for occupation in early 2027.

Councillor Jill Boyle, portfolio holder for housing and people services at NNDC, said: “We are delighted to be working with Flagship on this new development for Stalham, bringing high-quality new affordable homes to the town.

“For the council, these housing delivery partnerships are vital to increase the supply of new affordable homes in our district, and this development is a further tribute to the close working relationship we have with them. These 34 homes will be most welcome for Stalham.”

Paul Brand, Associate Development Director at Medcentres, said: “This development represents our first partnership with Flagship to deliver much-needed affordable housing for the people of Stalham and the wider community, for which there is demonstrable need.”

Jake Bridgford, Associate at AECOM, a partner on the project, said: “It is a pleasure to work alongside Bromford Flagship LiveWest to deliver high-quality affordable homes in Stalham. AECOM supported BFL in the pre-contract stage as employer’s agent and quantity surveyor to ensure value for money and continues to work closely with the project team as construction progresses.

“It is great to see the development taking shape and helping to provide much-needed homes for the local community.”

Images (Credit to BFL)