A public meeting has heard concerns about plans to build a gypsy and traveller site on land off the A47.

More than 300 people attended a packed village hall in Lingwood on Tuesday night (March 7) to question the scheme which could see 15 residential pitches built south of the A47 in North Burlingham.

The proposal is one of ten favoured sites as well as two backup areas that have been put forward as part of the Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP).

Three representatives from the GNLP team were also present to answer questions. 

Norwich Evening News: An aerial view showing the approximate location of a proposed new traveller site south of the A47 in North Burlingham. Photo: Google Maps.An aerial view showing the approximate location of a proposed new traveller site south of the A47 in North Burlingham. Photo: Google Maps. (Image: Google)

Sonya Dickinson, Lingwood and Burlingham parish clerk, said the main concerns among residents were the impact on services such as the sewer system, as well as schools and doctors' surgeries which are already "at capacity".

The site would be next to a flyover across the A47 which would carry 800 sugar beet lorries every day, she said.

"This would be polluted and noisy and no amount of trees would shield people on the site from that," she added. 

READ MORE: Proposed gypsy and traveller site in Costessey criticised

Norwich Evening News: Lana Hempsall, Norfolk county councillor for Lingwood and Burlingham parish, has some concerns about a proposed gypsy and traveller site in North Burlingham. Photo: Norfolk Conservatives.Lana Hempsall, Norfolk county councillor for Lingwood and Burlingham parish, has some concerns about a proposed gypsy and traveller site in North Burlingham. Photo: Norfolk Conservatives. (Image: Conservative Party)

Lana Hempsall, county councillor for Lingwood and Burlingham parish, said she had not been expecting so many people to attend the meeting.

"I can sense the residents' frustration and from a personal point of view I would like that whatever is proposed is integrated into the community in a positive way," she said.

"But when you put such a large settlement in a place where there was none before, it makes that harder," she added.

She said she objects to the site because of the potential for noise and light pollution from the adjacent A47.

"It doesn't look like a very nice place to live," she said. 

The sites are currently under consultation until March 13. Members of the public can submit comments online at www.gnlp.org.uk.