A village in the Broads is the target of major new plans to build 176 houses - and a roundabout. 

Broadland Housing Association is seeking permission from Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) to build the homes on land south of Repps Road in Martham.

Access to the site would be through a new roundabout on Repps Road which Martham Parish Council has said must be installed prior to any development. 

One resident said the new junction could save lives - but others expressed concern the village "cannot cope" with more development as the latest application comes on top of existing bids to build more than 100 houses at a pair of nearby sites. 

The development would see more than eight acres of agricultural land transformed into 129 open market homes and 47 so-called 'affordable homes', with a total of 379 parking spaces.

Broadland Housing Association said their intention is to "create a special and sympathetic village extension that respects the agricultural and historical character of the community by developing well-designed new family dwellings appropriate to the village’s heritage".

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A field south of Repps Road in Martham where developers want to build 176 houses. A field south of Repps Road in Martham where developers want to build 176 houses. (Image: Google Maps)

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So far, there have been 10 objections to the proposals, mostly raising concerns about the "overdevelopment" of a village with a population of more than 3,500 people. 

One resident said: "Martham is already overdeveloped, with further smaller scale developments either ongoing or scheduled.

"This huge proposal is well beyond what the village can take; it will fundamentally alter the character of the village."

Another commented: "It's no longer a village, just a place with houses."

Some said Repps Road "cannot cope with additional traffic" while two residents complained about the impact of new homes on water pressure which they said is already "abysmal".

One villager, referring to pressure on schools, doctors and dentists, said: "There is no way Martham can continue with its village status with its current development rate. But it lacks the infrastructure to become a small town."

A neighbour of the proposed site said a nearby development caused damage to her daughter's car and their private parking area, as well as shaking their house. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Martham has seen significant growth in recent years with 385 houses approved since 2019 by Great Yarmouth Borough Council. Martham has seen significant growth in recent years with 385 houses approved since 2019 by Great Yarmouth Borough Council. (Image: Steve Adams)

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Almost three miles away, in Rollesby, the parish council clerk said: "There is a lack of infrastructure in local roads and such a large development will overload an already struggling rural road system.

"The density of housing needs to be considerably reduced," she added. 

The only public response supporting the application said the roundabout will act as a traffic calming measure.

"All too often drivers come speeding onto Repps Road and through the heart of Martham.

"The roundabout will slow down traffic... This could save lives," the respondent said. 

The developers held a public consultation event in May in the village's Community Centre - but only 19 feedback forms were returned.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A view from Martham. A view from Martham. (Image: James Bass)

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This latest proposal comes on top of other plans, as yet undecided, to build a further 109 houses in the village.

Since 2019, the borough council has approved plans to build 385 houses in Martham. 

North of Repps Road, 48 houses are currently being built.

There are also applications, still with planners, to build 65 houses off Staithe Road as well as another 44 houses on land south of Somerton Road and east of White Street.

The parish council is objecting to the latter bid, fearing White Street could become a 'rat-run'.

A decision on that bid is expected early next month.

The window for commenting on the latest proposals closes on Wednesday, October 4.