Fears that Wymondham could be overwhelmed with new housing development have been allayed after an almost 50pc reduction in the town's growth plans.Proposals for 9,000 more homes in the South Norfolk area moved a step forward last week after the Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) approved a public consultation exercise.

Fears that Wymondham could be overwhelmed with new housing development have been allayed after an almost 50pc reduction in the town's growth plans.

Proposals for 9,000 more homes in the South Norfolk area moved a step forward last week after the Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP) approved a public consultation exercise.

District councillors in Wymondham have now welcomed the move, which will see 2,200 properties being built in and around the market town over the next 17 years.

Leaders had raised fears that the town would end up merging with neighbouring Hethersett after the previous GNDP plans allocated 4,000 new homes to Wymondham by 2026.

The new proposals, which will go to public consultation on March 5, also include 1,800 homes at Long Stratton, 1,000 in Hethersett, 1,200 in Colney/Cringleford, 1,000 in Easton, and 1,800 at smaller sites in the district. Plans for a new town at Mangreen near Norwich have been placed on the backburner.

Martin Wynne, South Norfolk Council's planning chairman and a member of the GNDP Policy Group said: 'This has been a very long and arduous process that has been imposed upon each of the councils by the government. Throughout the process it was obvious because of government guidelines that Wymondham would inevitably take further development because of its location, the transport network and the existing facilities.'

Residents were left outraged last year after a developer applied for 3,000 property expansion to the south of Wymondham and the East of England Regional Assembly published figures suggesting that the same developer wanted 10,000 properties overall for the town.

Joe Mooney, local district councillor and chairman of the north west planning committee, said: 'I am pleased that South Norfolk representatives on the GNDP managed to keep housing numbers in Wymondham down to 130 per year.'

'Following the public consultation commencing in early March and when the final figures are formally agreed, it is essential that a master plan for the whole of Wymondham is pursued to achieve a cohesive approach and restrict urban sprawl and protect the character of the town.'

John Fuller, South Norfolk Council leader added: 'What has emerged, and the other parties have accepted the point, is that when future developments come to be considered we can look at new sites rather than bolting on to existing communities.

'That means we can give complete reassurance to people in Wymondham, Hethersett and Long Stratton that what they see now is it.'