A total of 24 people have formally objected to plans to build 250 new homes off the A1065 in Swaffham, while two people have written in support.

Abel Homes submitted an application for outline planning permission for the site in May, and Breckland Council received letters and emails from 10 members of the public and a 16-signature petition before the July 9 deadline for comments.

The petition was signed by residents of Cygnet Walk and Sandringham Way, which are to the immediate north of the Swans Nest site.

The impact of traffic was the most commonly-raised concern, while a number of nearby residents feared the new houses would overlook their properties and others raised the impact on wildlife.

One letter of objection came from a resident of Langney in Sussex who is due to move to Swaffham because it is a small, friendly town, but was worried the development would make it like Dereham – 'overdeveloped but not enough services'.

One town resident, Denis Bishop, supported the application, and wrote: 'A well considered and detailed approach. An obvious development to complete the town housing development to the south. I support the development.'

And Norwich resident Ben Guest wrote: 'The site seems an appropriate location for new homes in Swaffham as

it is a logical extension to the existing urban boundary.'

Swaffham Town Council raised no objections.