A sign advertising new homes put up without planning permission should be removed because it is an 'unnecessary blight' on the countryside, councillors have said.

Persimmon Homes put up the sign promoting a new housing estate at Kett's Meadow off the B1172 Norwich Road in Hethersett, near the King's Head pub.

Hethersett district councillor David Bills said he opposed a retrospective planning application put in by the developer to South Norfolk Council after objections were raised by residents - and that the sign should be taken down.

He said: 'It is a real eyesore and not at all in keeping with the area.

'We are plagued by roadside advertisements on trailers and 'abandoned' vehicles. Surely we do not wish to end up like North America.

'The council will follow up any complaints from residents and will take action where they can.'

Persimmon Homes was unable to comment on the objections to the sign when contacted by this newspaper.

Mr Bills said he had asked Persimmon Homes to remove the sign, saying that whatever else put up in the future should be in keeping with the character of the area.

'Please let us have no more billboards at the side of the roads in south Norfolk,' he said.

Mr Bills added that he thought the sign was 'unsightly, distracting and potentially dangerous'.

He said anyone wanting to find the Back Lane development could do so by using its postcode and a sat-nav - and therefore the sign was basically free advertising for the company.

Mr Bills said: 'In our opinion it is an unnecessary blight and the fact it has been erected without permission is, in effect, putting two figures up at the residents of Hethersett.'

Fellow councillor Leslie Dale said he was also opposed to the sign.

He said: 'You can't have the countryside covered with signage.'

South Norfolk Council is expected to make a decision on the future of the sign during February.

Do you have a story about a housing development issue in your community? Contact Wymondham and Attleborough reporter Stuart Anderson by emailing stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk