Plans to extend a Gypsy site close to a Norfolk village have caused concerns among residents about the safety of children walking to nearby schools and traffic passing the site.

Richard Oakley, from Mildenhall, has applied to South Norfolk Council for permission for six additional Gypsy pitches on land at Chepore Lane, Suton and the division of an existing plot for two mobile homes into two pitches with one mobile home, one touring caravan and a utility room.

The application also provides parking for two vehicles at the eight pitches, a horse paddock and the extension of the existing access road onto the site.

A design and access statement from the developer states there would be no more than 32 vehicle runs per day for the site and there would be no school runs for the children as Spooner Row Primary School was only 1.5km away and therefore within walking distance.

A new underground electricity supply would be created to the pitches, as there is no mains electric at present and the footprint of the mobile homes would not be more than 120sqm, while the towable touring caravan would be no more than 7.2m in length and 2.4m wide.

Wymondham town councillor John Turner, who lives in nearby Top Common in Spooner Row, said residents had raised concerns with him that Spooner Row Primary School was already full to capacity and children walking to the school would have to walk close to the A11.

He said other worries were the site was on a blind bend and vehicles pulling away from the site could be a potential hazard for passing traffic, while sewerage facilities and potential environmental impact were other concerns.

'The message seems to be mainly about road safety and particularly the fact the site is on a blind bend, which is causing residents concern,' Mr Turner said.

Wymondham Town Council will be discussing the plans at a planning committee meeting at the start of July.