A major housing development in South Norfolk has been approved despite 90 objection letters from residents who feared the 'urbanisation' of their village.

Sunguard Land Ltd has successfully applied to build 120 homes on land at Chequers Road in Tharston, including entrances from Chequers Road and Jermyn Way.

However, South Norfolk Council's development management committee received letters expressing concerns the development would blur the gap between urban and rural and the site was outside the development boundary and in the open countryside.

Traffic was also a worry for villagers, with many fearing Chequers Road would not be able to cope with the increased volume and was simply not wide enough with no passing places, while others wanted an access directly onto Swan Lane, fearing otherwise more traffic will use Chequers to get onto the A140 via improved traffic lights at Flowerpot Lane.

The biodiversity of the site was another factor for residents, with many worrying that rare wildlife found there could be destroyed to make way for the new homes

A number of councillors at the committee meeting on Wednesday were also concerned the applicant was only planning to provide 12 affordable houses when they were hoping to have 33pc of the development as affordable homes.

But Glyn Davies, the applicants agent, said the site was within walking distance of the main facilities within the village including schools and was on the right side of the village for the sewage treatment works.

He said an overage clawback clause had been inserted whereby the developer would pay money after the land had been transferred which could be used to pay for the affordable housing.

He added: 'In my opinion, this is a very deliverable scheme and I therefore ask you to support the officers' recommendation to approve it.'