Plans for three shepherd's huts in Norfolk's holiday home heartland have been turned down.

West Norfolk Council has refused planning permission for the structures at Leith House Orchards at Burnham Thorpe, near Burnham Market.

Its decision notice says: "The proposal would not represent sustainable development, by reason of its location outside a village or town."

It adds the huts would encourage car journeys and be "an uncharacteristic use within an agricultural setting forming a part of the open countryside".

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The three huts would have been placed among rows of trees in the orchards and used as holiday lets.

A planning statement said: "The proposals are a means of diversifying an land-based, rural business in order to secure the orchards' economic sustainability, via capitalising on the growing consumer trend for 'experiential’ holidays.

"The huts will provide another income stream for the business to secure its viability."

The orchards, which were planted in the 1970s, have 3,000 fruit trees.