Proposals for a 100 new homes at a Dereham industrial estate could become more likely after councillors lifted restrictions.

It comes following a committee meeting of the Local Plan Working group at Breckland Council offices on Friday June 16.

Planning officers had recommended the removal of the employment allocation to land adjacent to Rashes Green, to the south of the town, despite it being included within the Local Plan as saved employment allocation.

It has since been the subject of a planning application for residential development of 100 houses, but the application was dismissed on appeal on the basis of failing to secure affordable housing provision. That appeal decision is currently being reviewed by Breckland Council.

In the meantime, a further planning application for another residential development has been submitted.

Speaking at the meeting, councillor for Necton ward, Nigel Wilkin, voiced concerns.

'The only way we can protect Dereham is to hold on to our family silver,' he said.

And Phillip Duigan, councillor for Dereham Toftwood, emphasised the importance of making it 'the best long-term plan for the future' of Dereham by making sure there would be enough jobs 'going forward'.

Recommendations stated that employment provision across Breckland within the Local Plan was set out at a higher level than the baseline requirement within the Employment Growth Study 2013. This means that the loss of the employment allocation from Rashes Green would not be considered to be a constraint to the overall employment strategy within the Local Plan.

Following discussions, the committee members approved lifting the restrictions.

Other decisions made at the meeting including approving recommendations for sites allocated for development. The areas discussed were:

- Land off Saham Road and Sharman Avenue for 160 dwellings, and land north of Norwich Road, for 45 dwellings and a 64-bed care home, in Watton

- Land adjacent to Gaymer Close for 42 dwellings in addition to land south of Greyhound Lane for open space, in Banham.

- Land of Hale Road, for 40 dwellings, and land between North Pickeham Road and Masons Drive, for 15 dwellings, with the remaining shortfall of 17 dwellings to be met through the criteria-based policy, in Necton.

It was also decided by the committee not to include any site for development at Mattishall within the Local Plan and instead move it to a criteria-based policy.