Residents have hit out at plans to build up to 70 new homes on a greenfield site in Wymondham.
Proposals have been submitted to South Norfolk Council to build new homes on Chapel Lane.
The outline application, which has been submitted by Herts-based The Fairfield Partnership, includes plans for up to 70 homes, a play area and public open spaces. New footpaths would link into the Tiffey Valley.
People in the local community are invited to a public meeting, which is being organised by the Friends of the Tiffey, a group which seeks to protect the valley which the river runs through.
Terry Povey from Friends of the Tiffey said: 'The people we have talked to in Wymondham have been deeply concerned. People see it as part of Wymondham's heritage. It's an iconic view in Norfolk which looks across the valley and it's part of the town's tourism as the steam train goes through it.
'The objective of the meeting is to bring people together to tell them how they can represent their views to the council.'
The Fairfield Partnership initially proposed to build up to 150 homes on the site, stretching as far up to Longlands Drive. After an exhibition in the town in December, new plans were drawn up which saw less than half of the original area earmarked for development.
A spokesman for the Fairfield Partnership said: 'The plans were originally drawn up in November 2011. The reason the new plans have taken so long to draw up is because we have made massive changes after talking to English Heritage. A lot has changed and the buildings will only occupy one corner of the land.' Fairfield said none of the buildings would be more than two storeys high and that the homes would be of a 'high quality design'.
South Norfolk Council has received a number of letters opposing the plans.
One letter read: 'Chapel Lane is a traditional road overlooking Wymondham Abbey across into the valley. The Tiffey Valley and the Abbey are Wymondham's heritage assets and the surrounding area should be protected.'
A public meeting will be held in The Feathers in Town Green tonight at 7.30pm.
Do you have a Wymondham story for the Evening News? Contact local reporter Lucy Wright on 01603 772439 or email lucy.wright@archant.co.uk
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