Villagers in Hethersett are being urged to have their say on proposals that could result in the development of more than 1,000 new homes on greenbelt land.

Parish councillors are inviting residents to air their views on the expansion plans, which would almost double the size of the village between Wymondham and Norwich.

Hethersett Parish Council has called on local people to voice their opinion at a public meeting at the weekend to help shape the council's response to the outline planning application for 1,196 new houses.

Residents have just over a week to respond to the proposals by Hethersett Land and Landowners, part of Ptarmigan Land, which have been submitted to South Norfolk Council.

The plans also include a proposal to build a primary school, shops, business units and other community facilities and an extension to the Thickthorn Park and Ride site and a new dedicated slip road from the A11.

The proposals pre-empt the conclusion of South Norfolk Council's Local Development Framework document, which ended a public consultation earlier this month looking at site specifics for more than 9,000 new homes in the district over the next 15 years. Hethersett is earmarked for 1,000 new homes as part of the Greater Norwich Development Partnership's (GNDP) Joint Core Strategy.

Villagers can have their say on the proposed new development at a drop-in session at Hethersett Methodist Church from 10am to 2pm on Saturday. The plans and supporting documentation will be available for inspection.

Parish council vice chairman Jacky Sutton said: 'The comments will help the parish council to take into account the views of residents when we formulate our response to South Norfolk Council.'

People have until December 8 to respond to the planning application.