A new home and office will be built at a Norfolk fishery, despite planning officers calling for the application to be refused.

South Norfolk Council's planning committee approved Martin Wilby's plans to build the two storey manager's house with a study or office for growing tourist carp fishing business Airfield Lakes at New Lodge Farm in Dickleburgh.

However, planning officers had recommended the application be refused at Wednesday's committee meeting because temporary permission had been given nine months ago for a mobile home to allow the fledgling business to become established for three years.

But planning officer Helen Mellors told the meeting the business, which opened in March, had been doing extremely well and was forecast to do so in the coming years.

South Norfolk councillor Mr Wilby, who did not vote on the plans, told the committee the house was for his son Richard, the fishery manager, who wanted to move his young family from their Huntingdon home, but could not accommodate them in the mobile home.

One objection letter the council received from a nearby resident stated the mobile home was unoccupied, but this was contradicted by another neighbour who said the home was occupied.

Other objections made by the resident were there was no need for the house as there seemed to be a lack of activity at the fishing lake and there was virtually no agricultural activity.

However, Mr Wilby, who represents Dickleburgh, said his son needed to be on site 24 hours a day to ensure the welfare of the fish and the site's security.

He added the business had made a profit in 2011/12 and Sky Sports was due to televise a national fishing competition at the three lakes in July.

However, Councillor Christopher Kemp said: 'The three year rule is there to prevent dodgy businesses or people being speculative and here we have a good business that is doing well, what is the point in waiting another few years?'