Controversial plans to transform a park on the outskirts of the city into a festival hotspot has been meet with criticism by locals who have branded the scheme "intrusive".

Thorpe St Andrew Town Council is seeking to host large events with live music, funfairs and fireworks late into the evening at Fitzmaurice Park. 

But neighbours say they did not sign up to "live near an amusement park" with some lodging official objections with Broadland Council, which will decide whether to grant permission. 

While the park is currently used for smaller-scale events, such as car boot sales and fetes, the town council hopes to host some 7,500 people at a time until 11pm on any day of week. 

The Thorpe St Andrew fireworks eventThe Thorpe St Andrew fireworks event (Image: Denise Bradley) Fitzmaurice Park in Thorpe St Andrew is managed by the town council, which is seeking a permanent licence to host public events throughout the year.

Such events would including plays, films, live music and dance displays, as well as permission to serve alcohol. 

There would be a maximum of 10 events per year which could be hosted any time between 9am and 11pm on weekends or weekdays - a particularly controversial point among locals. 

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Fitzmaurice ParkFitzmaurice Park (Image: Newsquest) Claudia Burwitz, who lives next to the park, said: "We already have incidents of rowdy behaviour in the area and permitting this licence will worsen this.

"I certainly do not want to live near an amusement park, especially as it’s not meant to be such a place. It is meant to be a space for recreational activities."

Michael and Jane Body, who also live locally, added: "From our experience of past events the noise levels are very intrusive to our relatively peaceful existence.

"This objection is not made to spoil the enjoyment of others or out of malice but the council should take into consideration the health and wellbeing of the local residents."

Enjoying the fair at the Thorpe St Andrew St George's Day celebrationEnjoying the fair at the Thorpe St Andrew St George's Day celebration (Image: Denise Bradley) However, the council has insisted the application will not see any material change in the way its events are run.

A spokesman said: "Thorpe St Andrew Town Council is the main deliverer of public events in the area, including one of the biggest firework displays in Norwich.

"We do not envisage any increase in the volume, frequency or style of events following this application, and the timings provided are purely to give us flexibility when planning future events."

The application will be considered by Broadland Council's licensing committee next week.