Two new housing estates in Costessey and Trowse have been given the green light.

Separate plans for 495 homes on land off Dereham Road, Costessey and 99 homes and a primary school on land off White Horse Lane, Trowse, were approved by South Norfolk Council's planning committee today.

The Costessey housing estate, which will be the second phase of the Lodge Farm development, was put forward by developers Taylor Wimpey and Hopkins Homes.

Work to widen a section of Dereham Road to four lanes and improvements to the Longwater interchange would be carried out to allow for extra traffic, and the developers would give £225,000 to Norfolk County Council in section 106 money for any further improvements.

Gary Tucker, for the applicants, said the housing estate was a 'logical and well-connected' extension of phase one of Lodge Farm.

He said a road between the two phases of the housing estate would help integrate it into a 'single community'.

Mr Tucker added the proposal had been widely consulted upon, and Costessey Parish Council did not object.

Norfolk County Council had voiced concern about reuse of minerals on the site, but this was withdrawn when developers agreed to use gravel from the site as part of the build.

William Ling, a resident living in the first phase of the development, said linking the two sites would cause traffic problems and building work would cause disruption.

But the application was approved, with one abstention and all others in favour, subject to conditions.

The Trowse homes plan was submitted by applicants Norfolk Homes Limited.

A total of 99 homes and space for a 210-place primary school would be created, but residents feared this would harm their 'model village'.

Lyn Fabre, chairman of Trowse Parish Council, said the development would 'overwhelm' what had been built by Sir Jeremiah Coleman as houses for workers.

And members of the Keep Trowse Special campaign said 98% of villagers were against the plan.

County officers said 210 school places were adequate, but a compulsory purchase order may be necessary to increase its size if further housing developments were approved.

Plans were narrowly approved by six votes to five.