The decision to scrap proposals for 40 new homes in a Norfolk town will be reviewed by government officials. 

Plans for a housing development off Warren's Lane in Attleborough were blocked by Breckland Council earlier this year due to fears about its impact on the surrounding countryside. 

However, the developers behind the project, Righetti Group, have now lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, which has the power to overturn this decision. 

The town is growing fast and has already been earmarked for 4,000 new homes as part of the Attleborough Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) - which will see it double in size. 

The development proposed by Righetti Group would have seen 40 houses built to the west of Warren's Lane, close to the A11.

The proposed development siteThe proposed development site (Image: Google Maps)

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When considering the application in February, Breckland Council officials said the scheme would be a "hard urbanising intrusion" on the edge of the town and would have a detrimental impact on one of its main gateways. 

They added: "It is considered that the construction of residential development on the site, would not recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside.

"It would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area in the vicinity of the site as this development will appear visually intrusive in this countryside setting on approach to the town."

Attleborough has already been earmarked for thousands of new homesAttleborough has already been earmarked for thousands of new homes (Image: Denise Bradley)

While the developers acknowledged there would be a visual impact on the landscape, they believe the economic benefits of the scheme, such as council tax payments from new residents, outweigh this issue.

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They have appealed the ruling made by Breckland Council to the Planning Inspectorate, which will determine whether the correct decision following a hearing on November 19.

This comes as the council is set to delay its local plan update, which helps determine where homes are built in the years ahead, potentially leaving the door open to huge new housing developments in the district.