The 285 hectare scheme will be developed by a partnership comprising landowners the The Crown Estate and The Kilverstone Estate and developer Pigeon. As well as the homes it will comprise up to 19.5 hectares of employment space, three primary schools, shops, community facilities, sports pitches and open space.
The development is expected to create 10,000 jobs during construction and 5,000 permanent jobs once completed.
“We are delighted that the Council has supported our planning application," said The Crown Estate strategic land manager Steve Melligan in a statement. "The plans present an exciting opportunity that will bring new homes, jobs and an array of new community facilities to Thetford.”
The developer said it aims for work to begin on the first phase of the scheme in 2016. The development is projected to take around 15 years to complete.
