A bid to build housing in a Norfolk village has been approved by planners - despite concerns of 'overdevelopment'.

The proposal will see the development of land to the rear of Well Pharmacy on The Street in Acle.

This will include four one-bedroom apartments, as well as the demolition of a dilapidated extension to create access.

The existing building is two storey with Well Pharmacy on the ground floor and two existing residential apartments above.

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The proposal is to demolish the existing single storey staffroom and adjacent store which project to the rear and replace this with a larger two storey extension.

This will replace and enlarge the staffroom at ground floor and provide two new two-storey residential units.

The plans also provide six more car parking spaces, bringing the total to eight.

The application has been amended during determination to reduce the proposal from six apartments to four units, with an increase in parking from six to eight spaces and amendments to the design.

The applicant said the area of land to the rear of the pharmacy was "relatively large and underused which is a real shame as the location within the heart of Acle is perfect for a small residential scheme".

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Full River Chinese Takeaway objected to a bid to build apartments behind the neighbouring Well Pharmacy on The Street in Acle. Full River Chinese Takeaway objected to a bid to build apartments behind the neighbouring Well Pharmacy on The Street in Acle. (Image: Google Maps)

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The bid had faced objections, with Acle Parish Council "strongly" opposing the proposal, claiming it represented "overdevelopment" of the site.

In a letter to planners at Broadland District Council (BDC), they also said that the parking plans were "inadequate".

"The land has been used for many years as parking by customers for the pharmacy.

"Any customer parking will cause issues for the tenants," they added.

There were four other objections from members of the public raising concerns about "insufficient parking", access to the neighbouring Chinese takeaway, and the village already being "busy and congested".

Norfolk County Council Highways dropped an objection to the plans after they were amended.