Concerns were last night raised about how Harleston would cope with further expansion when a national housebuilder exhibited proposals for 120 new homes.

Persimmon Homes yesterday revealed it hoped to start work on the new development on greenfield land off Mendham Lane in mid 2012 if it receives planning permission this spring.

However, dozens of residents attended a public exhibition meeting where concerns were raised about the extra pressure on local health services, infrastructure and the overlooking of a new estate on existing homes.

Representatives for the developer, which is in the process of completing a 63-home scheme on the other side of Mendham Lane, said they were in discussions with South Norfolk Council and Norfolk County Council over making financial contributions towards public transport, education, leisure and library facilities. The proposals also include a new roundabout on Mendham Lane to access the site.

Simon Maddison, land manager for Persimmon, said the land was allocated within the South Norfolk Local Plan for housing and that the company would consider amending its proposals based on feedback from the public. People have until February 8 to comment before the developer submits its plans later this month.

However, Jenny Redgrave, a resident of Howard Close, Harleston, said she was against four-bedroom homes overlooking hers and her neighbours' bungalows.

'If they were building bungalows on there we would have no problem, but this is just not on and we already feel it is cut and dried,' she said.

Officials from Persimmon are also set to make a presentation at the next Harleston Town Council meeting on February 8.

Comments can also be emailed to mendhamlane-harleston@bidwells.co.uk