The council recommended that the firm should receive planning approval to build on the 27-acre site at a meeting of councillors and residents on Tuesday evening.

More than 60 members of the public attended the 90-minute debate, where Carpenter Planning Consultants, NJP's agents, presented the plans for the 24,154m2 building.

The council gave its backing to the plans subject to a number of conditions, including that NJP had done everything possible to find an alternative site in South Norfolk and that landscaping on the site would include planting of mature trees.

A further condition was that all construction traffic would approach the site from the A11, which borders one side of the site.

NJP has submitted a full planning application to South Norfolk district council. The earliest time that permission could be granted is at the next planning committee meeting on 12 January 2005.

See earlier stories NJP reassures residents over green concern and New Jarrold picks KBA for 64pp refit.

Story by Josh Brooks