Plans are being made to build 60 new homes in the village of Great Ellingham - but not everyone is happy about it.

Kirsty Barnes from York-based AAH Planning Consultants has applied to Breckland for outline planning permission to develop a 3ha site between Church Street and Attleborough Road B1077, behind The Crown pub.

Although detailed drawings have not yet been submitted, initial plans suggest the estate would be accessed off Attleborough Road, and would include an 'informal play area' near Church Street.

The site is currently part of a field used to grow asparagus.

But there are fears the new homes would ruin the quality of life in the village and put extra strain on health care and other resources.

One Great Ellingham resident, Ruth Martin, called on the council in an email to refuse the application, fearing it would be 'catastrophic' for the people already living in the village.

Ms Martin said: 'This application is absolutely unnecessary and totally unwanted in our village.

'To allow anymore development in this village would be catastrophic for the quality of life for those of us who live here.

'There are no facilities here apart from a small shop and pub. No transport and no employment.'

A submission from Kerry Harding, NHS estates advisor, said the 138 residents living on the estate would put extra strain on already stretched health services.

But the NHS did not object to the development, and called for a Section 106 contribution from the developer of £21,758 to put towards a scheme to ease the strain on the NHS in the area.

Ms Harding said: 'The existing GP practice does not have capacity to accommodate the additional growth resulting from the proposed development.'

William Smith, Breckland councillor for All Saints and Wayland ward, pointed out in a letter the new estate would sit opposite another 75 homes already planned for the Mellor Metals site.

However the Environment Agency had no objection to the development after an assessment of flood risk and contamination risks.

What do you think of the planned development? Email stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk