A plan outlining where thousands of new homes will be built across South Norfolk has been approved by a council's cabinet.

South Norfolk Council leader John Fuller said the site specific policies and allocations document – which details where homes will be built until 2026 – together with some of the district's local plans, had struck the right balance between providing important new housing and protecting Norfolk's historic and picturesque landscape.

Under the plans approved by cabinet this week, the main centres of growth include Hethersett, which has a minimum requirement of 1,226 homes, Easton and Costessey, which have 1,400 and Wymondham, which would get 2,200.

However, Mr Fuller told a meeting of SNC's cabinet that he would 'much prefer to have a series of smaller allocations to give choice and reduce risk'.

He went on to say: 'We've certainly followed that pattern,' with Diss being allocated 217 homes, Loddon 200 and Harleston 241.

Smaller villages however have been allocated just a handful of homes. For example, Scole only has to accommodate 10 new homes and Hempnall has to make room for only 20, whereas Tibenham, Winfarthing and Bressingham, Shotesham and Saxlingham Nethergate are not required to make any.

That, he said, would give smaller, local building firms the chance to win contracts.

'There are good, solid reasons behind the patterns of development we've brought forward here,' he told Monday's meeting.

'This is not about a load of people going into a darkened room with a map to decide the future of Wymondham.

'We want to understand its place in the wider district and I'm confident we've got the right balance.'

He added that the plan was not just about housing but also creating areas for employment and businesses to expand across South Norfolk.

What do you think of the plans to spread housing across the district? Write, giving your full contact details, to: Mercury Letters, 26 Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AD or email dma.letters@archant.co.uk