Developers behind a large housing scheme have told the Eastern Daily Press they intend to press ahead despite strong opposition from villagers.

Developers behind a large housing scheme have told the Eastern Daily Press they intend to press ahead despite strong opposition from villagers.

A public meeting called to protest at plans to develop farmland on the outskirts of Heacham, near Hunstanton, was attended by more than 300 people.

But Broadland Housing, the company behind the proposals, says that, after scaling down the scheme from 355 to 200 houses, it is the right size for the village.

Andrew Savage, Broadland's executive director of partnerships, said: 'It's the right size development in the right place.

'We are not going away.

'In any village adding 20pc will be a change, but it is happening elsewhere.

'We've looked at the wider needs of Heacham and Hunstanton, the needs of the population. There is a need for mixed housing, and we are going to deliver it in a timescale that matches the need. The numbers that require housing with care are going up and up.'

The plans for the land off School Road include a care home, housing with care and affordable housing as well as a pub and recreational areas.

Despite the proposal being reduced by more than a third, Heacham Parish Council still remains opposed to the plan.

West Norfolk Council's core strategy allows for 66 additional houses in Heacham and the parish council has said that this is the number they will accept.

Parish council secretary Phillippa Sewell said: 'Although there has been a reduction it is still a major development.

'The key issue is the access from the A149 and that has not changed. The side of the A149 we are on means we are always going against the traffic when we are leaving.

'You do get to a point where a village can't grow much more. Affordable housing is always a big issue but we already have quite an extensive range of social housing.

'What we find is that because you can't be specific as to who moves into it, we don't meet a lot of our own need.

'There are obviously merits to their scheme, but the sheer size of it is just too much.'

Heacham Parish Council will be holding a consultation to allow the public to view the revised plans.

On July 19 and 20, members of the parish council will be at Old Friends Hall, Sunnyside, from 10am to 6pm.