Sir Michael Marshall, head of the giant Marshall empire, has won planning permission build 20 homes on Fen farmland in Swaffham Prior.

The aerospace and automobile magnate applied with Adrian and Nigel Dickens for permission to build the homes on about 2.5 acres of farmland off Rogers Road.

Twelve of the homes will be for private sale, with eight made available as affordable properties.

Agents acting for Sir Michael said: “The site had been used as farmland until 2013 when the land was taken out of use by the landowners, since that time the land has remained vacant.

“The economic change is from agricultural land to housing of which 40 per cent will be affordable housing and 60 per cent open market housing. The affordable housing is supported by the parish council, which has instigated the creation of a community land trust which will own the affordable housing units.”

The development will also include a small amount of public space and the houses will be designed to “reflect the architectural style and proportions of other houses in the village.”

Approving the application, planning officer, Ann Caffall said: “The proposed density of the development sits well within the village context and does not present as a hard edge.

“The variety of dwellings proposed, with differing roof heights, attention to detailing and materials is attractive.”