More than 60 new homes have been given the go-ahead in a village in the Fens despite "considerable objections".

Bowsall Developments and the Longhurst Group applied to build 63 properites on land off Gosmoor Lane at Elm, near Wisbech.

It said the mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses, along with four one-bed flats, would be "100pc affordable".

A planning officer's report said: "Considerable objections have been received from nearby residents and the parish council.

"Concern exists regarding the impact on the character of the area and design.

"Matters of flooding and highway safety, on which residents make significant reference, have been considered by the drainage and highway authorities and are now resolved."

It added there is "an identified need" for affordable housing in the area and proposals for 50 homes on the same site had been agreed but planning permission had expired.

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Elm Parish Council said the latest proposals were "overdevelopment" of the site.

It added: "As affordable housing makes no infrastructure contributions how will local services cope, where will new children go to school?"

The NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System said: "Reviewing the existing estate footprint and registered patients, they do not have the capacity to support this additional proposed growth resulting from this development."

Some 57 objections were also received from people living around the site, on grounds of increased traffic and local services being unable to cope.

But the planning report concluded: "The principle of residential development of this site is considered to be acceptable.

"This 100pc affordable scheme of 63 dwellings will provide much needed affordable homes in the wider Wisbech area.

"In terms of applicants currently on the housing register, Wisbech has the highest demand for affordable rented housing in Fenland."

The proposals were given the go-ahead by Fenland District Council on  Friday.