Adam GrettonFresh fears have been raised about the erosion of greenbelt land along the A11, ahead of a public exhibition into plans for 3,000 homes in Wymondham.Adam Gretton

Fresh fears have been raised about the erosion of greenbelt land along the A11, ahead of a public exhibition into plans for 3,000 homes in Wymondham.

A detailed masterplan for a major extension to the north-east of the market town will be unveiled this week by planning consultant Barton Willmore.

But the scheme has already provoked opposition from local councillors who are angry about the development blurring the boundaries between Wymondham, Hethersett and surrounding villages.

Parish councillors in Hethersett and East Carleton and Ketteringham have expressed their concerns about Barton Willmore's scoping opinion for a 3,000-home 'urban' extension on a 287ha site.

The application to South Norfolk Council comes before the formal adoption of the Greater Norwich Development Partnership Joint Core Strategy (JCS), which has earmarked 2,200 homes for Wymondham over the next 16 years.

Members of East Carleton and Ketteringham Parish Council have raised concerns about the size of the proposed 3,000-home development, erosion of the greenbelt, and the visual impact on existing properties.

'Additionally, there would be no separation between Hethersett and Wymondham, which alters the whole area significantly.'

'The view of the parish council is even stronger that no scoping opinion should be allowed and that the developers are advised to wait until the JCS is formally agreed and adopted before this scoping opinion goes ahead,' said parish clerk Carole Jowett.

Hethersett Parish Council has also called for a full environmental impact assessment to be completed into drainage, sewerage, flooding issues and the traffic impact of the proposals.

Ian Weetman, parish clerk, added: 'The council would be concerned that such a proposed development would clearly totally remove the strategic development gap between Hethersett and Wymondham.'

The 'Vision Wymondham' public exhibition, which will also set out plans for new jobs, schools, transport and community facilities, will take place at the Fairland Church Centre, Fairland Hill, Wymondham, from 4.30pm to 8pm on Friday and between 10am and 4pm on Saturday .