Plans to develop land opposite another group of homes east of Suton Street in Suton - a village 10 miles west of Norwich - were submitted to Broadland District Council at the beginning of the year.

Officials have now refused the plans, explaining the location of the scheme would be "an encroachment onto the open country, providing development on both sides of the road, eroding the rural character of the area and resulting in harm to the local landscape."

There are houses opposite the proposed site (Image: Google)

Villagers rallied against the plans, submitting swathes of objections over concerns the development could cause flooding.

One neighbour said: "The field opposite has flooded many times over the years. Water runs off the land, across the road and into nearby properties."

Another said extensive damage had been caused by floods and the community lives with "a constant fear due to the damage and disruption to lives".

© Norwich Evening News