An agricultural machinery dealership could be built on a greenfield site off the A47 in mid-Norfolk.

Plans have been lodged with Breckland Council for a change of use of agricultural land in Fransham and the erection of a dealership with a maintenance and parts workshop.

The application will be discussed by the council's planning committee in Dereham on April 8, and is recommended for approval.

The 0.6 hectares grassed site is to the north of the A47, and to the north-east of Fransham, and includes dense hedgerow and vegetation to the field boundaries.

The site is on land owned by NE Salmon Ltd, and a report released ahead of the meeting states that it would create a diversified source of income for the arable farm business.

Fransham Parish Council recommends approval of the proposal, but has concerns.

Council chairman Russell James said: 'It's a difficult decision, as it's on a greenfield site. It would mean quite a lot of HGVs on local roads.

'We would like additional trees to be planted to improve screening around the site to minimise the visual impact.

'And we want all HGV traffic to exit right from the site onto the A47, except for traffic heading to the Beeston industrial estate.'

The parish council also wants a ruling that no future expansion of the site be permitted, as it's a greenfield site.

Norfolk County Council highways has no objections subject to conditions with regards to the routing of HGVs in an easterly direction.

Killian Gallagher, the agent for the applicant, Claas Manns Ltd, said they did not wish to comment at present, but would speak at the meeting.

The application states that the building floor area would be 1,315 sq m, and the site would be accessed from the north-eastern edge avoiding the need to remove hedgerows.

Plans also include a concrete and crushed stone surface for vehicle movements around the site and parking to the front on the northern boundary. The application was referred to the planning committee as it's outside a designated development boundary or allocated general employment area and contrary to policy.