Sarah HallCampaigners fighting to prevent thousands of new homes from being built in Wymondham and Hethersett are hoping to join forces in their battle.After the government said 36,000 homes need to be built in and around Norwich by 2026, local councils said Wymondham should be limited to 2,200 new homes and Hethersett to 1,000.Sarah Hall

Campaigners fighting to prevent thousands of new homes from being built in Wymondham and Hethersett are hoping to join forces in their battle.

After the government said 36,000 homes need to be built in and around Norwich by 2026, local councils said Wymondham should be limited to 2,200 new homes and Hethersett to 1,000.

But planning consultants Barton Willmore has made a submission for up to 3,000 new homes in Wymondham, while Ptarmigan Land is eyeing up Hethersett.

They want to build an initial 1,000 homes, but lodged a 'scoping request' for up to 4,000 in the village, with some villagers fearing the initial scheme is just the tip of the iceberg.

Protestors say the town and village will be swamped by that scale of development and have formed campaign groups to fight the plans.

Phil Emery, one of the organisers of the Hands Off Hethersett campaign, said he was keen to work with his counterparts in Wymondham.

He said: 'The plan is to introduce ourselves to them so that if anyone has any wonderful ideas for how to go about opposing this we can share them.'

Clive Walker, who is involved with the Vision Our Wymondham group, said he would be happy to work with the Hethersett campaigners.

He added: 'Our view is that, yes, we have to have a fair share of homes and that could help Wymondham, but that's not until 2026, so there is no rush.

'The developers are only doing their job and trying to maximise the money they can make, but just because that's what they want, doesn't mean it is right for the town.'

Those behind the Wymondham scheme say it will regenerate the town centre, while the company behind the Hethersett proposals point out they have had support for their plans, as well as opposition.

They say contributions from developers could pay for things such as a new school or a country park.

But protestors last week gathered outside a public meeting in Hethersett where the plans were being showcased, warning the extra homes will lead to traffic-choked roads and rat-running.

VOW can be contacted via its Facebook page called Vision Our Wymondham while the Hethersett campaigners have a website at www.hethersett.net

Are you fighting to stop a planning application where you live? Call Evening News reporter Dan Grimmer on 01603 772375 or email dan.grimmer@archant.co.uk