Fears have been raised over encroaching development putting pressure on the north of Norwich as consultation into the Greater Norwich Local Plan continues.

Council bosses say that, between now and 2036, they need to provide sites for nearly 43,000 new homes in Greater Norwich - the area covered by councils in Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk.

While the sites for some 35,000 of those homes has been established through various blueprints, that leaves locations for 7,200 still to be found.

And Hellesdon residents will be invited to an exhibition next week as the parish council is concerned over the loss of recreational space.

A spokesman for the parish council said: 'In Hellesdon the grassed area close to Arden Grove Primary School, now known as Cottingham's Park, together with part of our allotments feature as development sites in the plan which is not good news as it will take away valuable recreational space, already in short supply in the parish.

'Looking across the parish boundary into Horsford, which starts just beyond the Medical Practice, the Greater Norwich Local Plan earmarks all the land up the Reepham Road to the NDR roundabout on the south side of Horsford and bounded on the eastern side by the A140.

'Housing built here will of necessity put additional loading onto both of these roads and the local infrastructure.

'Financially, Hellesdon will inevitably lose out as the future residents may well choose to use adjoining Hellesdon's facilities rather than those of Horsford and Drayton located some distance away. However Horsford and Drayton Parish Councils will be the recipient of all money levied from developers (CIL) when the houses are built and from the home owners (parish precept payments) once they move in.'

Shaun Vincent, chairman of the Greater Norwich Development Partnership, said: 'We want to create a plan which will continue to provide a framework for the thriving, attractive area we all want to live and work in.

'The plan can only be the best it can be if as many people as possible let us know what they want the Greater Norwich of the future to look like.'

The exhibition will be held at Diamond Jubilee Lodge during the week commencing Monday, February 19. The Greater Norwich Local Plan Roadshow will then be coming to Hellesdon Community Centre on February 28 from 2pm to 8pm where officers will be on hand to answer questions.

Comments can also be submitted on-line at gnlp.org.uk.