Plans to “slot in” an extra 89 homes into a significant development on the edge of a Norfolk town look set to go ahead, despite more than 100 objections. 

The scheme would see a total of 380 homes built on the southern edge of Toftwood, in Dereham. 

While planning officials at Breckland Council have recommended the scheme for approval, 146 people have signed two petitions against the plans.

The proposed 89 homes would be built on a patch of intensively-farmed arable land, accessed via a new link road running from Shipdham Road to Westfield Lane. 

Some 23 of the homes are proposed to be classed as affordable, with the remaining 66 are set for market rates.

The latest application is connected to a plan approved in 2018 for 291 houses on land off Shipdham Road, Westfield Road and Westfield Lane.

Alongside the petitions, 34 letters of objection were submitted by neighbours. 

Their concerns included fears that local infrastructure is inadequate to meet the needs of the new homes, including doctor surgeries and dentists, and local roads could become congested.

READ MORE: Hundreds of home agreed for Norfolk town

But as part of the application the NHS is looking to secure £117,296 from the developer to help mitigate additional healthcare demand and the highways authority at County Hall has raised no concerns about added traffic from the plans.

Ahead of Tuesday's planning meeting, Brecklands officers said: “While there are a large number of objections to the proposed development, the proposed scheme would deliver additional housing within the settlement boundary as designated within the Breckland Local Plan and on a site benefiting from outline planning permission. 

“The proposals would bring with it a number of benefits and necessary infrastructure provisions.

"These include a mix of new homes, including affordable housing, allotments, open space including an orchard, contributions towards library facilities and health facilities in the local area.”