South West Norfolk MP and former Prime Minister Liz Truss has met opponents to a new travellers' site in the Fens.

West Norfolk council is considering plans for 10 caravan pitches at West Dereham, near Downham Market.

But 96 people have objected to the proposals, for land off Station Road.

Ms Truss, who has also lodged an objection, met with local residents, businesses and councillors to discuss the application.

Afterwards, she said: "There are concerns on a number of fronts about this proposal.

"The single track road adjacent to the site offers limited access and would provide inadequate parking for residents and travellers alike. The track also has inadequate drainage and is not suitable to support a travellers' site.

READ MORE: A1101 Wash Road closed because of flooding

READ MORE: Dozens object to Downham Market development over nature reserve fears

"The land on Station Road is currently farmland and the change of use to a travellers' site would present further challenges regarding water, sewage and additional pressure on infrastructure.

"The farmland conversion would also threaten flora and fauna, and I gather the RSPCA have concerns about the well-being of local wildlife."

Objector Nick Saberton said on the council's planning portal: "The roads within our village are very narrow and not designed to accommodate a high volume of traffic, as there are no paths and lots of people who like to walk around the village this could be potentially dangerous."

Heather Foy added: "I would be concerned about the capacity of our small village which has no public amenities such as shops, pubs or schools being able to absorb this number of new residents without impact on the surrounding communities."

And Charlotte Drew said: "Whilst I appreciate there is a need for such facilities, surely these are better suited to more accessible, less remote areas, which have appropriate amenity levels requisite for such a development."

The proposals are expected to come before the council's planning committee in February.