A developer's bid to cut the number of affordable houses it will build in a Norfolk village has led to anger among councillors.

At a planning meeting this week, members of Breckland Council approved Flagship's application to change the number it will construct at a site in Yaxham from 40pc down to 25pc. 

This follows the authority altering its local plan in September, dropping the number of affordable homes developers are required to build to just a quarter.

Eastern Daily Press: Where the homes will be built in YaxhamWhere the homes will be built in Yaxham (Image: Google)

Flagship has since said it would be unable to complete the development without the change, saying the costs would make it "unviable".

It warned that if this was refused, it would withdraw the application entirely before then making a new bid, starting the lengthy process from the beginning.

The village parish council and Campaign for Rural England objected to the cut, arguing there is a big need for affordable housing in the local community.

READ MORE: Bid for 102 affordable homes in Norfolk village set for approval

The move by Flagship, which is one of the largest housing associations in the region, left members frustrated.

Eastern Daily Press: Flagship Homes is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the countyFlagship Homes is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the county (Image: Flagship)

Paul Plummer said: "This is a complete stitch-up.

"I'm fed up of developers promising affordable homes then turning around and saying they can’t afford them.

"Flagship made £67m profit last year, its directors shared £4.6m and the CEO earned £296,000. I should think if they are making that sort of money then they could afford to build those houses. It is wrong."

READ MORE: Council under fire for major estate revamp's land give-away agreement

Eastern Daily Press: Paul Plummer, conservative councillor for MattishallPaul Plummer, conservative councillor for Mattishall (Image: Mid Norfolk Conservatives)

Roger Atterwill added: "What a mess - but we don't seem to have any choice."

The council's solicitor advised members the decision should rest on planning policy and that these other issues are irrelevant.

Conservative councillor Peter Wilkinson defended the move, arguing the 40pc affordable homes figure was "unrealistic" due to the cost of building homes and that it was right this was changed to 25pc. 

It was approved with one abstention by the committee members.