Residents in Hethersett have been urged to dig deep to help to fund a fight against plans for more than 1,000 new homes.

Proposals have been submitted to extend the village, near Norwich, by 1,196 homes along with road improvements, shops, business premises and a primary school.

Hands Off Hethersett, which has recently been renamed Hethersett Our Way (How), has called on villagers to help them pay a planning consultant to respond to the plans by Hethersett Land and Landowners.

The deadline for comments on the outline application will pass tomorrow and the campaign group needs an extra �700 to pay for the �1,800 charged for the consultant's report.

Phil Emery, of How said more donations would ensure that the group had professional representation at a forthcoming planning meeting, expected in February, and help protect the village from 'overdevelopment'.

Speaking about the change of name, he added: 'At the end of the day we accept that like it or not there will be more housing in the village and we are not going to get away with it unless there is a revolution. The aim is to make sure Hethersett is protected as much as possible.'

How has submitted its opposition to the 'unsustainable' greenbelt development to the planning authority – South Norfolk Council – and has also questioned the timing of the proposals, which come in advance of adopted site-specific policies.

The village has been earmarked for 1,000 new homes over the next 20 years under the Greater Norwich Development Partnership's Joint Core Strategy.(GNDP)

How can be contacted by emailing info@hethersett-ourway.org.uk