A controversial application to build more than 100 homes in Diss has been given the go ahead.

Developer Persimmon Homes had their application to build 136 homes on land off Frenze Hall Lane unanimously accepted by South Norfolk Council's development management committee today.

An original bid to build 142 homes on the land which was earmarked for development, was met with criticism from residents and the town council, who raised concerns about the impact on the town's infrastructure and road safety fears.

A residents group was formed to discuss the concerns of the community.

In March the authority's planning committee rejected the bid on the grounds of poor design, and the form, bulk and massing of the plots.

A revised plan by Persimmon Homes saw a reduction in the number of houses by six and the distribution of affordable homes throughout the development.

At the meeting today, councillors praised Persimmon Homes for working proactively with the town council and residents and said the layout of the development was an improvement.

Joyce Thomas, who is a member of the residents group, said: 'We thought we knew it was going to get through and the councillors were more happy with it.

'Our group has worked hard to force the other issues which were being ignored. Persimmon have really gone out of their way to make sure this development was more acceptable to the community.'

The town council continued to recommend refusal of the application with the clerk Deborah Sarson telling the committee the authority was concerned with insufficient parking spaces, construction traffic on the roads and lack of street lighting.