Plans to build a new nature reserve with a lake and holiday lodges near the A47 look set to be turned down.

Council officials are recommending permission for the scheme at Pentney, near King's Lynn, be refused, because of the "detrimental impact" it could have on a neighbouring wildlife site.

Under plans lodged with West Norfolk Council, the lake and lodges would be built as part of the expansion of Oakland Garden Supplies, which is based just off the A47, between Narborough and West Bilney.

The developers also want to build new warehousing and construct a new house at the site.

In a planning statement, they said that the family business had grown rapidly because of online demand during the pandemic and needed new warehousing to cater for it.

"New business will create lots of employment opportunities, with an anticipated 20 additional jobs for local people in both professional and unskilled jobs," the application said.

A statement from agents Orsi-Contini said: "Our clients have been operating from this site for over 10 years. They have already significantly improved the site for the benefit of wildlife and have been a good local employer.

"Securing the long-term location of this family business in Pentney for generations to come will allow them to continue to demonstrate their love and enthusiasm of their gardening business and to support and improve the native wildlife diversity."

Plans also included eight holiday lodges, a lake and sluice gate, which the agents said would provide "much needed flood and drought support to the north east of the village, by holding and releasing flood water to benefit of wildlife, businesses, and residential properties".

Norfolk Widlife Trust objected, saying a full ecological survey should be carried out into the scheme's impact on neighbouring Pentney Heath, a county wildlife reserve with a "rich mosaic" of habitats.

A report to councillors said five letters of objection were received on grounds including disturbance to Pentney Heath and people living around the site. Four letters of support were also received.

The report to councillors concludes: "The proposed application, whilst it may have benefits regarding water management within the locality, has failed to demonstrate that it will not have a detrimental impact upon the adjacent priority habitats within the county wildlife site Pentney Heath."

It adds the applicant has also "failed to demonstrate with a strong business plan" how the proposed holiday units would support tourism.

West Norfolk's planning committee has been recommended to refuse the plans when it meets on Monday, February 6.