A village council is urging residents to come forward to discuss how their area should be developed.

Thetford & Brandon Times: The field on Kenninghall Road at East Harling which is the site of a proposed housing development of 67 houses, adjacent to the Poppy Fields development. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe field on Kenninghall Road at East Harling which is the site of a proposed housing development of 67 houses, adjacent to the Poppy Fields development. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Harling Parish Council is calling on residents to attend an open day on Saturday, June 22 at Harling Old School Hall to give their views on how the village should be developed including housing, transport and infrastructure.

Parish Council chairman Philip Edge said: "We want to give residents the chance to explain how they want the village to be in the next 10 years.

"We will have a lot of organisations from the village including the athletics club so people can see what is already available in the village.

"We hope to create a village plan as we found that a neighbourhood plan is expensive and can take from three to four years. This will be used when planning issues do arise.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Parish Council chairman Philip Edge. Picture: East Harling CouncilParish Council chairman Philip Edge. Picture: East Harling Council (Image: Archant)

"With the Neighbourhood Plan when it comes to planning issues we have not always seen it followed.

"With the recent developments we have a lot of new residents and we want to give them a say in what they want to see in the village."

The council has produced a questionnaire that is anonymous but allows residents to put what area of the village they live in. This is to highlight what is needed and where.

Plans for 350 new homes are currently in the application stage from various developers.

In January this year Chesire-based developers Gladmans applied to Breckland District Council for permission for up to 198 new homes to the south of East Harling, on land between the B1111 Garboldisham Road and Lopham Road.

This development has not yet been decided by Breckland Council.

In the past two years a number of developments have been subject to criticism from residents but Mr Edge hopes the open day will give the council an idea of how to move forward.

He added: "We have asked for the number of people in the household and what age any children are. Are they young or teenagers?

"This will allow us to see what they want their village to look like and how it can suit their needs."