Residents fighting to stop new homes being built on a thin strip of land in Great Yarmouth brandished placards at public protest today.

Eastern Daily Press: Plot of land earmarked for 12 new homes.Site is former railway track bed between Salisbury Road and Drake Ave, bordered by Blake Rd (to the east) and Sandringham Ave (to the west).Picture: James BassPlot of land earmarked for 12 new homes.Site is former railway track bed between Salisbury Road and Drake Ave, bordered by Blake Rd (to the east) and Sandringham Ave (to the west).Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2014)

People gathered outside the Town Hall this morning to protest against plans for 12 affordable homes on former railway land off Salisbury Road, north Yarmouth.

Eastern Daily Press: Plot of land earmarked for 12 new homes.Site is former railway track bed between Salisbury Road and Drake Ave, bordered by Blake Rd (to the east) and Sandringham Ave (to the west).Picture: James BassPlot of land earmarked for 12 new homes.Site is former railway track bed between Salisbury Road and Drake Ave, bordered by Blake Rd (to the east) and Sandringham Ave (to the west).Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2014)

The plot, between Sandringham Avenue and Blake Road, is currently used by residents for parking and has historically been a spot where local children have played and high school students walk through as a short cut to their playing fields.

Near neighbours have already voiced concern too many homes are being 'squashed' onto the land, fearing the impact it will have on parking, road safety and sewage networks.

Saffron Housing's proposal is to build 10 bungalows and two semi-detached houses on the land - which measures about 360 metres long and between 13.5 and 18.6m wide - all fronting onto Salisbury Road.

There would be 22 car parking spaces, a garden area and communal green landscaping.

John Whitelock, Saffron's director of new business, has said architects had produced a 'sympathetic design' and made modifications following comments made by residents at an open information event.

Residents opposed to the Salisbury Road scheme are expected to attend the borough council's planning meeting tonight when councillors will be advised by officers to approve the outline plans.