Plans go on show next week for a controversial 220-home proposed development in Dereham.

A 12.8 hectare area of land between Greenfields Road and the A47 – close to the town's windmill – is currently vacant and is one of three sites being earmarked for a total of 600 homes in the town over the next 15 years,

Robin Green – who has already developed a large part of Greenfields Road – currently owns the land and is going to put in an outline planning application before selling it to a housing developer.

On Monday members of the development team will be showing sketch plans of the proposed scheme at a public exhibition and leaflets with more details are being delivered to every house in the Greenfields Road and Wheatcroft Road areas.

All local town, district and county councillors are also being sent copies.

As well as the 220 homes – of which 40pc would be affordable – the plan includes provision for 1.4 hectares of landscaped open space and another 2.2 hectares would be taken up by an acoustic bank, verges and other open space.

There would be a new link road between Wheatcroft Road and Greenfields Road.

An area of 9.2 hectares would be available for the housing and the density would be the same as the existing developments at Bramley Road, Brailsford Close and Elderberry End.

But the proposals have already been met with strong opposition from local people since they were first floated last year.

There are fears about a 'rat run' being created through Wheatcroft Way to Greenfields Road and the impact of extra traffic on Norwich Road.

Flyers have previously been delivered by campaigners urging people to oppose the development.

There are particular worries about the junction of Wheatcroft Way and Norwich Road and the potential increased traffic dangers, especially for children.

As well as the Greenfields Road scheme, the other two proposed developments which would meet the bulk of the new homes needed for Dereham are at the Maltings on Norwich Road and between the football club and Windmill Avenue.

The public exhibition on the Greenfields Road plans is at Dereham Town Football Club on Monday from 2-8pm.

People can give their views at the event or by writing to Michael Haslam Associates, Woodcote, Cargate Lane, Saxlingham Nethergate, Norwich, NR15 1TS or e-mailing hmhaslam@btinternet.com.

ian.clarke@archant.co.uk