A developer has moved to reassure the public over fears a site touted for a 78-home project could be the burial site of diseased cows.

Concerns had been raised that the site on Church Lane in Carlton Colville was used decades ago to dispose of the bodies of more than 70 cows which had developed foot and mouth disease. However, Badger Building - which submitted the application - is confident this is not the case.

A spokesman said: 'We have discussed this at length with the landowners who, although aware of burial in the past elsewhere on land in Carlton Colville, say that to the best of their knowledge there have been no burials on the site.

'Given the views expressed by the landowners, we would not expect to find such remains on the site, but in the event that any were to be found then a scheme for disposal to a licensed waste site would be agreed before any further action could be taken.'