Calls have been made for an independent body to be brought in to try and break the stalemate holding up the development of Holt's critically needed car park.

The project has stalled as developer Graham Chapman and Norfolk County Council have become locked in negotiations over access to a strip of land, that would provide the walkway for motorists into the town centre.

Residents, business owners and the town council have become increasingly frustrated by the delays and believe they are being 'held to ransom' by the county authority, which owns the strip of former railway track at the centre of the row.

But at a heated meeting this week Russell Wright, county councillor for Melton Constable division, spoke out on his authority's behalf and thought the only way to bring the saga to a conclusion would be to bring in an independent body, to settle once and for all how much Mr Chapman should pay the council for access to the land.

'At the moment there seems to be a complete stand off between the cabinet member and the applicant. Something needs to happen to get them back talking to each other,' he said. 'The only way I can see of taking this forward is to have an independent valuation done to find out what is the fair projected revenue take or committed lump sum.'

'It needs a bit of give and take on both sides,' he added.