Plans to build nearly 100 new homes in Watton have gained momentum following further approval from Breckland Council, while decisions on proposals for hundreds more in the district were deferred.

It comes following a meeting of the council's planning committee in Dereham yesterday.

Abel Homes Ltd submitted a reserved matters application for the site at land off Town Green Road.

Outline permission for the scheme, which was originally for 98 properties, open space and play areas, was granted by Breckland Council's planning committee on November 10 last year.

The proposed housing development covers around 4.7 hectares and is located to the north of Blenheim Way, on the northern side of Watton.

The application was to gain approval of reserved matters of outline consent which can include issues such as layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping.

Although no objections were raised, concerns regarding surface water and water drainage were discussed.

Liz Whitcher, of Watton Drainage Group, outlined 'big problems' of flooding within the town but noted that the group had recently attended a 'constructive meeting' with Anglia Water.

Ward representative, councillor Keith Gilbert, echoed those concerns and urged the committee to make sure any flooding and draining facilities were equipped to deal with the extra housing. 'What we want to do is make sure [the development] goes ahead - but successfully,' he said.

Councillors unanimously approved the reserved matters application.

There were a number of deferred applications at the meeting.

In Dereham, proposals for 255 dwellings on land east of Yaxham Road, an application from Orbit Homes Ltd for a further 285 dwellings on land on Greenfields Road, and an application from Taylor Wimpey for up to 65 dwellings at land west of Etling View, were all deferred.

An application from Abel Homes Ltd for 98 dwellings on land east of Brandon Road, Swaffham, was also deferred.

The dates for all the applications to return to committee are yet to be confirmed.