Shoppers could get a new store and a cafe at a Norwich retail park - despite objections from existing businesses.

Part of the car park at the city's Riverside Retail Park will make way for two new units to be built.

What would move into the new units is not yet known, but developer Henderson Global Investors yesterday secured permission to build them and to use them for retail or as a cafe/restaurant.

Norwich City Council's planning committee granted permission for the new units, despite concerns from existing stores B&M and Hobbycraft.

Bosses at those stores were not happy that the development would lead to the loss of 29 parking spaces.

Rona Kelly, who objected on behalf of Hobbycraft, said: 'The retail park cannot afford to lose these spaces without affecting the trade at these stores.

'The additional units will increase dwell time on the retail park, slowing down the turnover of spaces and creating more pressure on the car park.'

And Andrew Wells, from B&M, said: 'The existing car park is not big enough to accommodate the inevitable increase in traffic the development would bring.'

David Bradford, Labour city councillor for Crome ward, shared the concerns about the loss of parking.

He said: 'In my experience I have always found most of the site is full, and this part is no exception.

'Trying to park anywhere there is extremely difficult at a lot of times.'

Officers said the developer would pay £13,000 to pay for measures to encourage people to visit the site by transport other than cars.

Eleven councillors voted for permission to be granted, with Mr Bradford abstaining.

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