Almost 100 new homes will be built on the edge of a Norfolk town despite concerns about the strain on healthcare services and schools. 

Plans for a new housing estate to the north of Spirketts Lane in Harleston, which will see 89 new homes built on 7.8 acres of land, have been approved by South Norfolk Council.

The development will go ahead despite fears about pressure on local services after planning officers voted unanimously in its favour. 

The application for a mixture of houses, flats and bungalows was lodged by Cripps Development Ltd last summer and was met with concerns about its impact on schools, roads and healthcare.

However, it has been decided that a contribution to expansion at Harleston Medical Practice is not necessary after the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board deemed there to be sufficient capacity for new patients.

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Councillor Deborah Sacks said it was "patently ridiculous" to rule that there was no need for additional healthcare provisions in the area.

However, the ICB said this decision did not rule out future expansion of the surgery if necessary.

Officers said there is also sufficient capacity in the town's nursery and primary schools, but community infrastructure levy money - a charge levied on developers - would be used to help provide a dozen extra spaces for secondary school pupils.

The new estate will contain one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, of which 30 will be affordable housing provided at below-market prices.

Paul Mba, chairman of Harleston Town Council, said there were also "major concerns" about how new estates would generate more traffic in the area and whether this would pose a safety risk to people walking to and from the new estate. 

However, officers said there would not be a significant increase to traffic as a result of the development.