A public meeting has been called for villagers, councillors and estate managers to express their views about proposals to create two agricultural reservoirs in north Norfolk.

By Chris Hill

chris.hill@archant.co.uk

A public meeting has been called for villagers, councillors and estate managers to express their views about proposals to create two agricultural reservoirs in north Norfolk.

The Stody Estate has submitted plans to store irrigation water drawn from the River Glaven during winter peak-flows, reducing the environmental impact of taking it in the summer.

The result of the planned excavations would be up to 750,000 tonnes of surplus sand and gravel, which the estate wants to sell to commercial users.

A statement drawn up on behalf of the estate says about 40 truck movements per day could be needed to transport the minerals away - with the majority travelling away from Briston and Melton Constable.

Estate managers said the scheme was essential to ensure the economic viability of the estate and maintain its high environmental standards, while not wasting the useable byproduct.

But villagers in the surrounding area fear the increased traffic, noise and dirt would blight their lives during the estimated eight-year duration of the project.

Briston Parish Council organised the meeting after requests from the public.

It will be chaired by Jacqueline Howe, Norfolk county councillor for Melton Constable division.

Representatives from the Stody Estate are expected to attend, along with North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb and members of parish, district and county councils.

The public meeting will be held at Astley Primary School, Fakenham Road, Briston, at 8pm tomorrow.