Plans for a huge new development on the outskirts of Norwich would be a 'disaster' if implemented, a heritage group has warned.

The application for a mixed residential/commercial development on the May Gurney and Deal Ground sites in Trowse was submitted last month.

This land is owned by Norfolk-based developer Serruys Property Company and an environmental report on the site found it to be 'strategically important [for Norwich] in terms of employment, housing and sustainable regeneration'. And it added that 'it represents one of the last major brownfield redevelopment opportunities within the city'.

However, Norwich Rivers Heritage Group has submitted an objection to the plans, calling for it to be rejected.

Its chairman Matthew Williams said: 'The group has looked in detail at what has been proposed, and frankly, we are appalled. The existing low-lying marshy area that could have been sensitively developed as a transitional gateway between rural Whitlingham Park and urban Carrow has been shown brutally covered in numerous high-rise residential blocks up to eight storeys that will overshadow the river and spread back over existing natural marshland.'

He also claims that the low-lying site would be subject to uncontrolled flooding, and recommended that planners went back to the drawing board.

As reported, plans for the site have been developed over two years by a specialist design team led by the planning consultants Lanpro Services.

The ambitious �100m scheme would see almost 700 new homes built plus a new marina on the River Wensum, with road, pedestrian and cycle bridges over the rivers Wensum and Yare. The Deal Ground site has been left vacant for three decades and was formerly used for workshops and the manufacturing of packing cases associated with Reckitt and Colman.

Do you know about a new development planned for your neighbourhood? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.