A bid to build 55 houses in a village that is 'bursting at the seams' is facing almost 300 objections.

The scheme, which is before planners at Great Yarmouth Borough Council, would see the development of land north of Barton Way in Ormesby St Margaret.

The proposed site is owned by the Hirst family, who run the local farm shop and family fun park, while the development would be built and managed by Flagship Homes, which is the applicant.

The estate would be a mix of open market, affordable rent and shared ownership houses, ranging from one to five-bedroom, while access would be off Barton Way, which is currently a cul-de-sac.

A document supporting the application states the development will boast "a variety of households, enriching the area".

On Monday night, up to 70 people attended a meeting of Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby Parish Council to voice their opposition to the plans.

Christine Lee, representing the objectors, said: "The village is already bursting at the seams and it cannot cope."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The end of Barton Way in Ormesby, which is being proposed as the access to a new 55-house development. The end of Barton Way in Ormesby, which is being proposed as the access to a new 55-house development. (Image: Google Maps)

READ MORE: Bid for 104 new homes in Bradwell deemed unfit for purpose by neighbours

The main concerns are road safety along Barton Way which would not be able to handle the additional traffic, she said. 

"There is really a strong undercurrent in the village that this is one development too far."

Kathryn Wendt, acting clerk for the parish council, said that members agreed to object to the plans in their current state.

The meeting was also attended by Richard Hirst, whose family owns the land of the proposed development site. 

He said: "Our family have been in the village for more than 70 years and we don't want to have a development we're not happy with."

He said there have been calls on social media for villagers to boycott the family's farm shop and fun park but the proposal has "nothing to do with" those businesses. 

"The impact of that would be as much on the staff as on us," he said.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Ormesby Village Centre, where villagers gathered on Monday, October 9, to voice their concerns about a proposal to build 55 houses in the village. Ormesby Village Centre, where villagers gathered on Monday, October 9, to voice their concerns about a proposal to build 55 houses in the village. (Image: Google Maps)

READ MORE: Bid to build more than 170 houses - and new roundabout - in Norfolk village

Mr Hirst also addressed concerns about the potential impact of the development on wildlife.

"As a family we have spent the last 25 years improving the biodiversity of the farm so why would I want to put that in jeopardy? I don't get that," he said. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury:  Richard Hirst Picture: Newsquest Richard Hirst Picture: Newsquest (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2014)

Since September 18, the application has received almost 300 objections raising concerns over a lack of infrastructure in the village as well as the impact of road safety and wildlife. 

One resident said: "Ormesby St Margaret is a village with roads that are appropriate for a village.

"The services to the village are already stretched and simply cannot cope with an influx of more residents and cars.

"The surgery in particular will really be affected by more new patients as will the dentist.

"We understand that more housing is needed but it shouldn't be built anywhere where the infrastructure cannot cope."

Another said: "Houses are clearly in short supply and I have no objection to houses being built locally except there appears to be no clear guarantees that services will be not only restored to functional levels but increased to meet extra demand."

READ MORE: Man refused bid to build his own house in parent's garden

According to another resident, the village "does not have the correct infrastructure to deal with such an influx in population".

"It is extremely disappointing to see the urbanisation of such a tranquil Norfolk village," they added. 

A decision on the bid is expected by December 29.

The parish is also facing separate applications to build 33 houses off Foster Close and another 41 houses on land north of Scratby Road, just over a mile away in neighbouring Scratby.