CONCERNS were raised about plans to develop 13 new homes near playing fields in Martham at an extraordinary parish council meeting.Residents feared there would be insufficient parking for the new development in Playing Field Lane, while the spectre of traffic congestion in the narrow lane was also raised at the meeting last Wednesday .

CONCERNS were raised about plans to develop 13 new homes near playing fields in Martham at an extraordinary parish council meeting.

Residents feared there would be insufficient parking for the new development in Playing Field Lane, while the spectre of traffic congestion in the narrow lane was also raised at the meeting last Wednesday .

Another worry was the safety of children walking down the lane to get to Martham Sports and Social Club or to use the playing fields to play football and cricket.

Parish clerk Peter Dawson said: “Normally, planning permissions are just an extension of a garage or something, but as this was far more important to the whole operation of the playing field area and the opportunity to have an unmade road made up it was felt that the villagers should have their say.”

The parish's concerns will be sent to Yarmouth Borough Council, which is due to make a decision by the end of this month.

If approved, the development would involve the demolition of an existing four bedroom house and the construction of three four-bedroom and four three-bedroom detached homes and two four-bedroom and four three-bedroom semis.

A 28-day consultation process has begun into developer Landfast Ltd's plans.