The relocation of a Norfolk poultry processing plant back to its former home moved a step closer this week after plans for the move were submitted to Breckland Council.

If approved, Banham Poultry would have permission to return to the Bunns Bank site near Attleborough for the first time since a devastating fire destroyed the plant in August 1998 and forced the firm to move the processing operations to the site of the former Gaymers cider factory in Station Road.

The move is linked to plans to redevelop the Station Road site to provide a major supermarket, shops and a fast food restaurant.

Outline plans have already been submitted for the Station Road redevelopment, though Attleborough town councillors raised concerns about the access to the site and the balance between retail and industrial uses on the site, as well as the small size of the supermarket.

Councillor Richard Middleton said the plans offered little benefit to the town in terms of providing much needed improvements to social infrastructure, such as health or sports and leisure facilities.

Rob Delafield, a development consultant working for Banham Poultry, said no developer had yet come forward to provide the supermarket, but the aim was to have the outline planning permission in place so a retailer could then be sought to build the facility.

Money from the sale of the Station Road site would then be used to pay for the new Bunns Bank facility.

Mr Delafield said Banham Poultry was applying for planning permission for Bunns Bank now so there would not be any delays in relocating once a developer had been established to build on Station Road.

He said: 'The new processing plant would be sustainable, incorporating the latest environmental technology, with landscaping, screening and recycling facilities on site.'

He said moving the plant, along with 650 staff, would allow Banham Poultry, the town's largest employer, to offer greater efficiencies and enable the company to be more competitive in the demanding market it operates in.

A decision on the plans for the Station Road site is expected in August.