A developer has made a fresh bid to build new homes on land between Wymondham and Hethersett after appealing a planning decision.

South Norfolk Councillors unanimously rejected proposals for up to 350 houses off Norwich Common in Wymondham last year after narrowly approving the same scheme three months earlier.

Members of the authority's planning committee turned down the proposals by Landstock Estates Ltd and Landowners over concerns about the erosion of the greenfield gap between Wymondham and Hethersett. However, the developer has resubmitted the same plans for Carpenters Barn and an appeal inquiry has been set for July.

A spokesman for agent Barton Willmore said the application had been submitted again following the publication of a National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) document relating to five year housing land supply requirements. Wymondham is earmarked for 2,200 new homes up until 2026 under proposals for new development in the Greater Norwich area.

However, Clive Walker, of Vision: Our Wymondham said the latest housing scheme pre-empted the results of the Wymondham Area Action plan by South Norfolk Council that will identify plots of land for new development. He added that it was 'crazy' that new planning applications for homes were being considered ahead of the completion of the area action plan.

'No one likes having houses being built next to them, but the area action plan is a democratic process. It will end up being a complete waste of time if by the time it has finished the council have been railroaded by developers,' he said.

In a letter to South Norfolk Council, Andrew Wilford, associate for Barton Willmore, said it was still accepted that a five year supply of land for housing in South Norfolk does not exist and the NPPF sought to place further emphasis on that requirement.

The Carpenters Barn plans were brought back for discussion last year following rulings by Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who had rejected applications, despite a land supply deficit.