A plan to build almost 140 houses on the edge of a village near the Norfolk Broads has been given the go-ahead.

At a meeting on Wednesday (December 18), Broadland District Council's planning committee approved a bid to build 137 homes off Norwich Road in Acle, despite residents' concerns over sewage capacity, housing density, bins and parking.

The site, which is part of a Norfolk county council scheme to raise millions by building and selling homes on its surplus land, saw initial permission granted for up to 140 homes in May last year.

The application, from building firm Lovell, appointed on behalf of county council-run property company Repton, is for a mixture of single and two storey dwellings and flats with between one and four bedrooms.

The development will also include 45 affordable homes, or 33pc of the site, in line with the local authority's planning policy.

The plan's approval is subject to conditions and to sufficient information being submitted that the surface water drainage strategy is acceptable, the private water supply on Norwich Road will not be adversely affected, refuse collection can be adequately accommodated and boundary treatments on the southern and eastern boundaries are resolved.

The proposal had faced opposition from residents and Acle Parish Council over the amount of construction traffic and issues with sewage capacity, housing density, bins and parking.

A spokesperson for the parish council questioned the planned bin collection points and amount of open space in the site, and added: "It is disappointing that so little play equipment is to be provided for so many houses."

A resident described the plans as "overdevelopment" and said: "[It] will lead to major parking problems."

Another resident said: "We have grave concerns about the impact on services, facilities, transport and wildlife in Acle."

Broadland Council's planning officers described the development "in its revised form" as a "well-designed development" and recommended councillors approve the plans for the site.

Previously, Chair of Repton Homes, Andrew Proctor, said: "This is the first of our schemes to bring about high-quality housing in Norfolk.

"We are looking to build much-needed homes, as well as generating income for the county council."