Plans for dozens of new homes in a Norfolk town have sparked objections as locals fear a potential population expansion of 30pc. 

Yet proposals for 162 houses off Spirketts Lane in Harleston, near Bungay, could soon be given the green light by South Norfolk Council. 

There has been strong opposition to the project due to fears about the accumulative impact of developments in the area, which could see some 800 homes built over the next few years.

This would increase the population of the town, which is home to around 6,000 people, by nearly a third.  

The land earmarked for 162 new homes in HarlestonThe land earmarked for 162 new homes in Harleston (Image: Google Maps) The plans lodged by developers Orbit Homes would see 162 properties built across 17 acres of land to the south of Spirketts Lane.

This would be in addition to approved plans for 90 dwellings on the opposite side of the road and a new estate of more than 450 homes in Mendham Lane. 

Locals say the town's infrastructure is already in "grave danger" of being overwhelmed, with schools at full capacity and healthcare services stretched to the limit. They believe these services cannot sustain such a huge population spike. 

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A spokesman for Harleston Town Council said: "If this development is approved, in addition to recently approved developments there will be 800 more houses in Harleston, substantially increasing the demand for healthcare.

"We are concerned that new residents will move into dwellings before extra capacity has been put into place, resulting in a deterioration in the quality of healthcare provision locally, or a need for new patients to travel further afield.

"There will also be a shortfall in the school capacity across all sectors prior to consideration of this proposed development, even without taking account of the recent approval of the development on the other side of the road."

Harleston, home to around 6,000 peopleHarleston is currently home to around 6,000 people (Image: Denise Bradley) If all 800 homes had two people living in them, the population of the town would increase by nearly 30pc. 

The proposals will be considered at a meeting of South Norfolk Council on Wednesday, October 23.