A decision on controversial plans for a hundred new homes in Framingham Earl will be made next week.

Proposals to build the homes on land the north-west of Pigot Lane have sparked anger in the village, with more than 560 people signing a petition opposing the plans.

Framingham Earl Parish Council has also objected to the proposal saying development is not necessary, it could exacerbate flooding problems, create too much extra traffic and is outside the agreed development boundary.

The bid for outline planning application, lodged by developer Hibbett and Key, has also attracted almost 70 letters of objection.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has objected, saying the site encroaches into attractive rural countryside.

However, officers at South Norfolk Council are recommending that the scheme is granted permission when members of the authority's planning committee meet on Wednesday.

In a report to come before the councillors, officers state that, while the proposal is contrary to the local plan, it should go ahead.

They said that the area in and around Norwich was lacking areas where homes could be built over the next five years and that the government had issued guidance that there should be a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

A decision will be made when councillors meet at South Norfolk House in Long Stratton on Wednesday afternoon.