Councillors unanimously rejected plans to build 750 homes on the outskirts of a Norfolk town after hearing the scheme would be outside the town's development boundary.

The five members of Wymondham Town Council's planning, lighting and highways committee recommended developer Endurance Estates' plans to build the homes to the south of Wymondham railway station at Rightup Lane be refused at a meeting on Tuesday.

However, the plans will be considered by the full town council itself before going to the main planning authority at South Norfolk Council which will have the final decision on whether to give the go ahead.

Councillor Alison Taylor, who represents Northfields ward, said she was opposed to the homes, which would have been part of a 1,300 property development, because the scheme was outside the development boundary and pre-empted the area action plan for Wymondham, which is set to earmark potential sites for new homes.

Her other concerns were the homes would increase the pressure on a drainage system that already struggled to cope and there would be more traffic congestion in the area.

She said: 'The decision was unanimous. Everybody was in agreement. There is always flooding down there and apparently raw sewage has been found down there.

'I think drainage is a big issue, but also traffic congestion as it is a complete bottleneck down there and more homes being built will only exacerbate the problem.'

The site, south of Wymondham railway station, used to be a gravel pit for construction work on the nearby A11 carriageway. Part of the site is now disued, while part is in agricultural use.

The builder is also proposing to provide financial contributions for a new community hall, library and even a new ampitheatre to stage plays at the site, which also has a fishing lake. The plans also include a care home, shop and primary school.

However, over 500 concerned residents raised worries about whether sewerage and drainage in the area would be able to cope at a two- day exhibition organised by Endurance Estates in October.

Wymondham has been earmarked for 2,200 homes as part of the Joint Core Strategy drawn up by the Greater Norwich Strategic Development Partnership for where 37,000 houses should be built in the Norwich area.