A public consultation on controversial housing proposals for the Lynnsport/Marsh Lane area of King's Lynn starts today ?with residents urged to have their say.

A drop-in session for the public will take place between 10am and 8pm in the Pelican Bar at Lynnsport.

Residents will be able to view proposals for the site and provide feedback as well as speak to representatives of West Norfolk Council and its contractor, Lovell.

Feedback will be taken into account during the preparation of the final plans for submission in April.

The sites, known as Lynnsport 4 and 5, are two of five sites in the Lynnsport/Marsh Lane area that have been identified for housing development over the next five years to help meet housing need in the area.

In total, 399 homes are planned across the five sites and these will be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties with around 15pc being social housing. The remainder will be available for sale.

No homes have yet been built as part of the project, although planning has been granted for 130 houses on Marsh Lane.

Alistair Beales, the borough council's cabinet member for regeneration and industrial assets, said: 'This is another opportunity for people to get involved to help shape the nature of development in this area.

'These are the pre-application proposals, so feedback can, and will, be taken into account when drawing up the final plans.

'Feedback from earlier consultation events has already been taken on board and I would urge people to come along and have their say.'

The borough council initially hoped to build 550 new homes on the site.

But following a public consultation, plans to install bollards in Marsh Lane to calm traffic were dropped, and the total number of homes planned was reduced.

In addition to the drop-in session, Norfolk County Council will be holding an information event on proposed new traffic orders associated with these developments.

Members of the council's highways team will be available today from 2pm to 7pm, also at the Pelican Bar, to answer any questions from residents.

Last April, planning permission was granted for a new link road to run between Edward Benefer Way and Lynnsport to serve the proposed estates.

Anyone unable to make the consultation event can view the proposals for Lynnsport 4 and 5 online at www.larondewright.co.uk from tomorrow.

Do you still have concerns about the development? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk