Landowners have pledged to listen to the views of local residents after plans for 900 homes at a village near Norwich went on display.

Hundreds of people descended on Easton Village Hall yesterday and this morning to get their first glimpse of outline proposals to more than double the size of the settlement.

The scheme has been put forward by a consortium of local landowners including Easton and Otley College, the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance and the Rampton Property Trust, who are looking to submit a planning application to South Norfolk Council by the summer.

The village is earmarked for major housing growth under the district council's local plan and forms part of proposals for 37,000 new homes in the Greater Norwich area up until 2026. The outline plans also include a new village centre, a potential extension of the primary school, new open spaces and children's play areas.

Kevin Cooper, development land project manager of Building Partnerships, said there had been a 'variety' of opinions on the proposals, with highways and access being the biggest concern for residents. He added that it was unlikely that any building work would start until late 2015, if approved.

'The fact that the village is likely to increase in size has been known for many years and we are trying to ensure that the parish and residents have their say on the detail. There is a need for new housing. It is an attractive village and we are trying to make it more attractive with more facilities,' he said.

Brenda Daynes, chairman of Easton Parish Council, said it was important that residents had their say on the proposals by March 22. She said a new village centre would be a good thing, but many people had concerns about how the local roads network would cope with so many extra homes.

'I would prefer it not to be 900 homes, but we have to manage it and get the best out of it for the village,' she said.

For more information, visit www.eastondevelopment.co.uk