Tempers are rising over a proposed development of 25 houses on the edge of Yaxham village in mid-Norfolk, which opponents fear could increase to more than 10 times that number if allowed to go ahead.

Dereham Times: There are plans to build more homes between the villages of Yaxham and Clint Green, south of Dereham. Image: GOOGLE MAPSThere are plans to build more homes between the villages of Yaxham and Clint Green, south of Dereham. Image: GOOGLE MAPS (Image: Archant)

Yaxham Parish Council is planning to hold an extraordinary meeting tonight (Thursday, June 14)at 7.30pm at to discuss asking for a judicial review on the development, proposed by Norwich-based planners Lanpro on behalf of their clients, Glavenhill Strategic Land.

Breckland District Council refused the application last year, deciding that the harm the new homes off Norwich Road would cause to the open countryside would outweigh the benefits of the extra housing.

But last month the Planning Inspectorate overturned Breckland's decision.

Yaxham resident Andrew Thorpe is among those opposing the plans. He called the decision a 'major blow' for the village.

Dereham Times: Andrew Thorpe. Picture: SUPPLIED BY COLIN KINGAndrew Thorpe. Picture: SUPPLIED BY COLIN KING (Image: Archant)

He said: 'It could potentially lead to over 300 houses being built.

'That means over 1,000 more people in the village.

'We just don't have the infrastructure: sewage systems, roads, schooling, doctors' surgery, access to the A47 and much more.

'There is talk of trying to get a judicial review.

'We must stop this development.'

Landro said: 'Lanpro successfully argued, on behalf of Glavenhill Strategic Land, that the site was sustainable and the adverse impacts of granting planning permission would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposed development when assessed against the policies in the framework as a whole.'

MORE: Planners say 'no' for second time to homes bid on edge of YaxhamThe scheme conflicts with Yaxham's local plan - voted on and approved by 92pc of the community last year - which seeks to preserve the gap between the two villages.

A statement on the parish council website said: 'The parish council has advice that there may be grounds for lodging a request for judicial review, to seek to overturn the inspector's decision. The time limit is short so this extraordinary meeting has been called.

'Come along, make your point and hold your councillors to account.'

Mr Thorpe is the Liberal Democrat candidate for an upcoming Norfolk County Council by-election for Yare and All Saints division, which was triggered by the recent resignation of council leader Cliff Jordan, who died on Saturday.