After torrential rain caused flooding to homes, a decision on whether to build 113 new homes on the site of a former school has been delayed.

Plans for the former Claydon High School, which closed in 1990 and was pulled down in 2001, were due to be discussed by the borough’s planning committee on Wednesday but the decision has now been deferred.

Heavy downpours caused houses in nearby Beccles Road and Burgh Road to be deluged by water on Tuesday.

The council’s senior planning officer, Dean Minns, suggested waiting for further clarification from Anglian Water, who operate drains in the town, about whether the system had the capacity to cope with the development.

Stephen George, the managing director of Badger Homes, who hope to develop the site, said he had a letter from the water company saying there was enough capacity and their plans factored drainage in.

He said: “Surface water from the site will be dealt with by soakaways. There will be no additional surface water coming off the site.”

Mr George said delaying the decision without allowing for any debate was “absolutely ludicrous,” adding: “All it does is frustrate local residents as plans are still up in the air. We worked very closely with local residents and there were only two objections to the plans.”

On Tuesday afternoon rain caused localised flooding in Gorleston and the villages.

A man who lives in Beccles Road, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “Firstly the drains are not sufficient to take away the water. Secondly it is the motorists who are hell bent on going as fast as they can, creating tidal waves that sweep into residents property and make matters worse, even when you try to slow the vehicles down you either get gestures from the driver or ignore you.”

In Burgh Road, several homes were also flooded. The rain also caused localised flooding around Beighton, Strumpshaw and Blofield.

What do you think? Write to the editor Anne Edwards at 169 King Street, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2PA or email anne.edwards@archant.co.uk