More than 200 homes could be built on farmland off Swanton Road in Dereham after a developer submitted an outline application to Breckland Council.

Eastern Daily Press: A developer wants to build 216 homes offSwanton Road, DerehamA developer wants to build 216 homes offSwanton Road, Dereham (Image: supplied)

Midlands-based Avant Homes wants to build up to 216 homes on the 10.5 hectare site, made up of two plots of land, on the north-eastern edge of town.

A 66-page design and access statement by Node Urban Design Ltd states that the design development process has 'sought to minimise the site's impact on its surroundings through the retention of landscape assets and the incorporation of a robust landscape framework'.

A public consultation on the proposal was held in September last year and the application says that the layout of the scheme, which it is calling Treetops, responds to comments made at the event to reduce impact on existing residential properties.

Key features include public open space, a newly constructed roundabout to provide access to the site either side of Swanton Road, with a pedestrian and cycle access to a public right of way to the south.

Homes would be set back from the site boundary along Swanton Road as well as most of the southern edge and hedgerows and mature trees would be retained where possible to soften the development.

They propose additional tree planting to soften the impact on views onto the site.

Concern about views from the historic Neatherd Moor would be mitigated by setting the development back from the boundary and extra tree planting, it says.

There is also included a play area on both plots along with a potential BMX track.

It concludes: 'The proposal would create a high quality new residential development in a sustainable and logical location where new residents would assist in supporting existing services within Dereham.'

And in a covering letter by agents Armstrong Rigg Planning with the application it states: 'The application is supported by a comprehensive pack of technical assessments, including landscape, highways, drainage and ecological studies, which together demonstrate that there is nothing in legal, physical or environmental terms, to constrain the development of the site.'

* What do you think? Email kathryn.cross@archant.co.uk.