Plans for 2,200 new homes in Wymondham over the next 14 years should be a maximum and not a minimum figure, said local MP George Freeman.

The Mid Norfolk MP said he was delighted to have chaired a meeting on the town's future growth on Friday night, which was attended by more than 300 people.

Mr Freeman said the majority of the audience were in favour of growth of between 1,000 and 2,000 new homes in Wymondham, but called for infrastructure improvements to come first.

The meeting marked the start of a two-month consultation by South Norfolk Council on the Wymondham Area Action plan to shape the future of the market town. The planning blueprint, which will earmark land for new housing, jobs and recreation space is due to be in place by 2013.

Mr Freeman added: 'I was delighted to be asked to chair the meeting, and to make sure that the views of all parts of the community were properly aired.'

'For too long planning has been something done to communities by Government, rather than something done by communities for themselves. The Localism Act gives local councils new powers to shape their own plans.'