Nearly half the extra new houses earmarked for Swanton Morley over the next 17 years could be built on one site if plans for a 20-home scheme are approved by councillors.

Nearly half the extra new houses earmarked for Swanton Morley over the next 17 years could be built on one site if plans for a 20-home scheme are approved by councillors.

The village has been allocated 50 extra dwellings in Breckland's Local Development Framework (LDF) - a document which controls development up to 2026.

Farmer Henry Harris has applied to Breckland for 20 homes on a parcel of farm land north of Greengate opposite Bedingfield Road.

Next Monday Breckland's development control committee will be recommended to approve the scheme.

A report by planning officers to the meeting says: 'This site is located in a sustainable location which benefits from a good range of services and facilities with good links to Dereham. The proposal seeks to provide a full range of housing types and sizes and proposes an appropriate level of affordable housing.'

Swanton Morley Parish Council has not objected to the scheme on the provision that if approval is given then the impact of the LDF should be reduced and the village's allocation should be reduced to 30.

Breckland planning officers argue the allocation for Swanton Morley cannot be changed until the document is examined by an inspector in the summer.

There have been four letters of objection to the Greengate plans - covering issues such as the scale of development, impact on the village, road safety and drainage/flooding - and one letter of support, saying there is a need for a development of this size.

Norfolk highways officials want the developer to give money to help measures outlined in the Swanton Morley school travel plan.

There would also have to be financial contributions to education, fire and library provision and also 35 pc of the scheme would have to be affordable housing.