Almost 200 people have signed a petition against plans to build more units on the edge of an industrial estate.

Guernsey-based developer Apex Platinum Investments wants to build 19 light industrial and storage units off Rollesby Road, in King's Lynn.

Its design and access statement says: 'The appearance and layout of the proposed units has been carefully considered to ensure that the proposals are low-key in appearance and compliment the character of the site. The provision of a reinforced landscaped buffer zone further minimises the impact on nearby dwellings.'

But people living on King's Avenue and Exton's Place, some of whose homes back onto the site, fear their peace and quiet will be ruined if the Hardwick Industrial Estate is extended almost to the bottom of their gardens.

Some 197 have signed a petition calling on West Norfolk council to turn down the plans. More than 30 have sent written objections to the council.

'I fear the noise pollution will become too overbearing for many of the residents,' one writes. 'It will also lose the charming sounds of an abundance of natural wildlife that will have then lost their habitats.

'The effect that the lighting no matter how minimal will also have an effect on protected species of wildlife such as bats which will further decrease their already declining numbers.'

Another adds: 'My mobility isn't as good as I would like and now living alone I make the effort to walk around this site once a day to help my joints and bones and I despair at the thought that I may not be able to do this as not only do I use the woodland path to walk along I also find the tranquillity of the bird song and rustle of the trees very therapeutic, it does good for the soul.

'I also worry that the many children living in the area would be at danger of the rise in traffic if people start parking down our small residential streets and then walking through to the new units.'

Apex's planning statement says that 70pc of the trees on site will be preserved and the land drain running through it will become 'a unique selling point'.

It says the buildings' colours have been chosen to compliment the green setting of the site, there will be a landscaped 'buffer zone' and buildings arranged with gable ends facing the houses.