About 100 concerned residents attended a public meeting on Tuesday night to discuss a controversial housing bid in Diss.

Plans submitted by Persimmon Homes to build 142 homes on arable farmland to the north of Frenze Hall Lane – including 40 affordable houses – have raised residents' fears about the impact of the development on the town's infrastructure and road safety.

At a meeting held last month, members of Diss Town Council urged the planning authority, South Norfolk Council, to refuse the application.

As a result, a small group of residents decided to organise their own meeting to bring people together so concerns could be raised, collated and put forward to South Norfolk Council.

And when they met last night at Diss Christian Community Church, residents raised concerns from residents over whether local schools and health centres could cope with more people living in the town, and the effect of large numbers of construction traffic that would travel on roads which they felt were already overcrowded.

Diss Town councillor Mary Gibson recommended a residents group should be formed to best get their feelings across.

She said: 'My advice is you should formulate a structured plan to include infrastructure and medical centre concerns to present to the people considering the applications.'

It was confirmed during the meeting by Diss Town Council clerk Deborah Sarson that Persimmon have resubmitted plans after making amendments and there will be a further two week period of consultation.

The final decision will be made by South Norfolk Council.