Opposition mounting over proposals for 300 homes on outskirts of Downham Market

Developers have applied for outline permission to build on farmland beside the A1122 on the south-eastern outskirts of the town.

The Isle of Man-based Grosvenor Partnership says the southern portion of the site has already been earmarked for housing by West Norfolk council.

But opponents fear the town's infrastructure would not cope with the extra people the homes would bring. A public meeting is being held on Tuesday night, before Downham Market Town Council decides where it stands on the application. While the borough council will decide whether the development goes ahead, it must consult the town council. More than 50 opponents have left comments on the bvorough council's planning website.

Julie Penny, who lives near the site, writes: Do any of you who sit on the committee live in Downham Market? If so, I'm quite certain you would be loudly saying no to this proposal. Because for those who do live here, it's impossible to gtet a local dentist, the doctors are all at breaking point and there is one high school which not only takes Downham children but has to accommodate all the children from the outer villages. This high school is full to bursting yet you are proposing to add more people to this over-populated area.'

Paul Bruen writes: 'The amenities are not equipped to support any more housing in the area. All the schools are over subscribed to the point of bursting. There is only one NHS dentist in Downham Market and this too is full. Doctors' surgeries are struggling to cope.'

Kelvin Loveday adds: 'The current proposal will expose the town's infrastructure to a burden it will fail to cope with. The Downham Market Academy is already the largest in the county. Many children are anonymous. We know this leads to alienation, anti social behaviour and social issues.'

Another opponent writes: 'Any further housing development in Downham Market will need considerable ionvestment in infrastructure to support the increased population. Does anyone consider the quality of life of the people already living in this small market town?'

Others fear Ryson End would become a rat run. The public meeting is being held at Downham Market Town Hall on Tuesday (7pm).