A fierce debate over plans to bring speedway back to Norwich is raging with a group being set up to support the proposals.

As revealed in the Norwich Evening News last Monday plans have been drawn up for a speedway track at the Norfolk Showground on the site of the former driving range.

A planning application is set to be submitted by consultants Lanpro who have been hired by New Firs Ltd, the company behind the proposal.

On social networking site Facebook a group was set up against the track, with supporters arguing the sport would be too noisy, too near housing developments and cause further tailbacks at the Longwater junction with the A47.

A Facebook group has also been set up in support of the speedway.

One supporter wrote: 'Good luck with this adventure.

'We need more teams and tracks in the UK.'

Another said: 'I would like to see speedway back in Norwich.

'It's got history and identity with the city and it's good for the business community.'

But on the opposing side fears have been raised over noise and traffic.

One member wrote: 'Apart from the noise, the Dereham Road is totally inadequate and unable to cope with the existing traffic.'

Yesterday Steve Ribbons, who is leading the speedway bid, dismissed the arguments against having a track at the eastern edge of the showground.

In a statement, he said that the A47 junction could 'easily cope' with the 800 cars expected to turn up on race evenings.

He said on Wednesday nights, when training takes place, there would be no spectators.

Mr Ribbons added New Firs would agree to a 10pm curfew, if it was made a condition of planning permission and he said there would be around 30 minutes of noise on race nights, spread over two hours.

He added the location of the site would be 'well removed' from housing areas.

Mr Ribbons said: 'We wish only to supply an additional leisure venue for the people of Norwich - a venue we hope will come to provide us all with a second source of sporting pride for the city of Norwich.'

•What do you think of the speedway plans? Write to us at Letters, Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk.