Plans to extend and improve a village supermarket on the outskirts of Norwich have been given the green light.

Broadland District Council's planning committee yesterday considered a planning application submitted by Budgens in Fakenham Road, Drayton, to extend the store.

Budgens were given permission to extend the store by more than a third by increasing the retail floor area by 566 square metres (5,600 square feet) from 1,506 square metres (14,900 square feet) to 2,072 square metres (20,500 square feet).

Under the plans, it is also proposed to extend the existing service yard at the rear of the store and the car parking area to accommodate an extra 46 spaces, increasing the total number to 147, including 10 disabled spaces.

A cash machine will also be installed while access to the supermarket will continue to be off Fakenham Road.

Six members of the public who live nearby had raised concerns about the possible visual impact of the proposed development, access issues, suitability of the roads, possible odour and noise nuisance coming from the site because of relocated recycling facilities.

A further three people had raised concerns about car headlights shining into the windows of properties on the opposite side of Fakenham Road.

But councillors at yesterday's meeting at Broadland District Council's offices decided to approve the scheme subject to surface water drainage proposals being resolved.