A small Norfolk village has been likened to Milton Keynes after controversial plans for a new roundabout were given the green light. 

Proposals to expand the Lotus Cars site in Hethel, near Wymondham, along with new road infrastructure, have been approved by South Norfolk Council.

The plans, which will see the village's first roundabout built in Wymondham Road, led one councillor to compare it to Milton Keynes - a city home to more than 120 roundabouts.

Jim Webber, a Liberal Democrat councillor, said: "Everyone should welcome an application to develop the Lotus facility and improve the road, but not this one.

"This is the Milton Keynes-isation of South Norfolk - and there is nothing wrong with that if it is done properly. But there is so much that has been glossed over here.

"Hethel is no longer going to be a rural area, it's going to be an industrial environment serving lots of employees and employers."

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Eastern Daily Press: The new roundabout will be located at the entrance to Chapman WayThe new roundabout will be located at the entrance to Chapman Way (Image: Google Maps)

Mr Webber called for the council to revisit options such as the implementation of a traffic light system - rather than a roundabout - but this suggestion was dismissed. 

He echoed the concerns of Colin Rudd, chairman of Bracon Ash and Hethel Parish Council, who said alternatives had not been fully considered.

Mr Rudd added: "The whole application is like a patchwork quilt - there are so many unresolved issues.

"This is a total failure of the planning process."

Eastern Daily Press: The proposed layout of the siteThe proposed layout of the site (Image: Fabric First Architects)

Lotus Cars say the development will create around 425 jobs, despite recent cuts and financial losses within the company.

The Norfolk-based group also argues that the plans are necessary to secure the future of the site, which was established in 1966.

Nigel Marshall, facilities director for Lotus, said: "We are now building more cars at Hethel than ever before with more staff and traffic to and from the site, but the road access is largely unchanged since the factory opened. 

"The proposed road layout will best support the current and future needs of the area."