A proposal to demolish a multi-use games area (Muga) and build a new one behind the YMCA building in Trowse, near Norwich, has been approved, despite objections.

South Norfolk Council's development management committee voted at a meeting on July 20 by eight to two – with one abstention – to approve an application by James Colman to refurbish the YMCA sports hall off Hudson Avenue and replace the Muga with a new one.

Relocating the Muga will pave the way for an access road to be built through the site to land south of it, which has been earmarked for housing development.

But a part of the application asking permission to build the access road was deferred, as one of the housing developers, Norfolk Homes, was not satisfied with the plan.

The council received 36 letters of objection to the plans and Stoke Holy Cross ward councillor Trevor Lewis spoke about the community's concerns. Mr Lewis, from Trowse, said: 'People didn't want an access road to go through Hudson Avenue so that's still a live issue. Some people didn't want a Muga right outside their back fence.'

He said he hoped another planning scheme for the area could still be agreed.

'I'm still hopeful that's not the final solution and the applicants might be receptive to having talks about this.'

Mr Lewis said as part of the planned housing development, the Trowse Primary School would get a new sports hall south of the current Muga site.

He added one way forward would be to demolish the YMCA sports hall, and design the future school hall so it could also be used by the wider community.

Do you have a planning story? Email reporter Stuart Anderson on stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk or call him on 01603 772588