Concerns have been raised over proposals to lump together plans for new employment land in Wymondham as part of its growth over the next 14 years.

The south Norfolk market town is set to expand with plans for 2,200 new homes as part of a strategy for more housing in the Greater Norwich area.

However, a local campaign group has expressed its concern over proposals for 20ha (50 acres) of land to create new jobs, which could exacerbate traffic and environmental problems.

Residents have less than two weeks to have their say on the future growth on the town as part of the Wymondham area action plan being coordinated by South Norfolk Council.

But officials from Vision Our Wymondham (VOW) have called on the district council to keep its options open when it comes to considering where new employment land is allocated.

Under the area action plan questionnaire, residents and workers in the town are being asked where they would like to see new commercial development with options including the extension of the London Road Business Park, more employment land near the Waitrose supermarket and police headquarters, more along the B1172 at Spooner Row, or as part of a large housing development.

Clive Walker, spokesman for VOW, said the consultation seemed to be concentrating on a large estate as the most likely option.

'The recent furore over the planned development of Kings Head Meadow highlights that commercial developments can have every bit as great an impact on residents lives as house building. We would urge South Norfolk Council to keep open all possibilities for the future growth of Wymondham as a commercial centre.'

'We believe that precedence should be given locating on existing brownfield sites and maximising the use of existing business estates before any decisions are made to build future commercial developments, which may have a very detrimental impact upon the town in terms of traffic congestion and environmental impact,' he said.

VOW is calling on local people to get involved in the area action plan consultation, which comes to a conclusion on March 16, and will shape the growth of Wymondham up until 2026.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman, who took part in a consultation event at the weekend, said: 'Decisions about where to site new businesses, homes and community facilities are not easy. I was impressed to hear members of the community and the council constructively sharing their local knowledge and views on how to protect Wymondham's rich heritage and to maximise new employment opportunities and economic growth.'

The online questionnaire can be found at www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/planning/5151.asp