Plans for a new Norfolk food hub have today taken another major step forward following the approval of a controversial planning order.

Broadland District Council's cabinet this morning agreed to adopt a Local Development Order (LDO) for a 19-hectare site near Easton.

It will allow for certain types of agricultural businesses to build on the land without submitting a planning application.

The order is designed to speed up the planning process and will help pave the way for a new Food Enterprise Zone in the area.

During the meeting, cabinet members heard concerns from people and councillors living nearby to the proposed site, off Blind Lane.

Residents argued the council should have carried out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to determine the affect on the countryside.

Ray Roberts, 62, whose house is located 50m from the site, also spoke about the impact the development would have on his life.

He claimed that the food hub would remove up to 40pc from the value of his home.

Broadland's head of planning, Phil Courtier, said the proposals had been screened twice to determine if EIA was needed.

He told members that on both occasions it was concluded an assessment was not necessary, adding the decision was backed up by a barrister.

However, he said a number of 'third parties' had asked for the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to look at the matter.

Mr Courtier said the department will make a conclusive decision as to whether an EIA is required, regardless of the council's decision.

John Fisher, cabinet member for environmental excellence, said he recognised the issues raised by objectors, in particular concerns around the impact on the surrounding roads.

But he added: 'I believe if you look at what has been said, we can accept that the worse case scenario for highways has been addressed.'

Council leader Andrew Proctor said that while the report shows there would be impact from the proposed development, it would not be 'significant.'

Members unanimously agreed to adopt the LDO, but to also 'consider' any secretary of state direction regarding an EIA.

Support for the scheme

Clarke Willis, former chief executive of Anglia Farmers, spoke in favour of the creation of a food hub at the cabinet meeting.

He said he was 'delighted' with the approval of the LDO, but frustrated that the project faces further delay while awaiting a ruling on whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is required.

He said: 'Those protesting and the parish councils have called on the secretary of state to give a ruling on whether it needs an EIA.

'Because of the election, that won't happen until we get a new secretary of state. But it is a bit futile, because the secretary of state has already ruled to say we don't need it. Broadland were also very clear it doesn't need an EIA.

'It is not a concern. The biggest source of concern is the cost of it, which is potentially up to £200,000. If that is required, whether it will be paid for by Ian (landowner Ian Alston) or Broadland (District Council) is the question.

'But we are obviously delighted with today's decision. What weighed very strongly was the economic development potential of such a venture.

'We process very little of the primary agricultural produce that we make here, so we are exporting jobs and we are exporting revenue and clogging up the transport networks with lorries of raw materials out of the county.

'So this is about food processing. It is also to commercialise what is coming out of the Norwich Research Park, so there will be starter units to help people make the first step towards commercialisation, and then we can move them to larger units.'

In response to the objections raised by villagers, Mr Willis said: 'Clearly, because this is an LDO that has been approved, it has got restrictions in terms of what can be done. Water run-off is something we will mitigate. We need to protect the environment and there will be restrictions on HGV vehicle movements to designated areas.'