Philip Potter applied for a certificate of lawful use to use land at Old Buckenham, near Attleborough, for a “storage, cutting and timber log distribution business”.

He also applied to extend an existing shed to house a tractor.

But Breckland council’s planning committee has been recommended to refuse the retrospective application when it meets on Tuesday, August 29.

A report to councillors says: “The application site is located on land south of New Buckenham Road, Old Buckenham. 

“The site forms part of a larger agricultural field and is positioned on the opposite side of the highway from the property currently known as Arenal.”

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Mr Potter said the business was “low-key” with one employee.

He said: “It is a forestry business, which is suitable in this rural location.”

Old Buckenham Parish Council objected. It said there was “a potential problem with high noise levels for neighbours”.

The council’s environmental health officers also objected on grounds there was “nothing formal in place to adequately control noise disturbance”.

Six objections and three letters of support were also received.

One objector said: “This is a commercial operation, which has recently substantially grown over the last two years, with increased log storage, machinery and hard standing added within this time.”

Another said noise from the site often continues into the evening, at weekends and bank holidays. 

Supporting comments said a “part-time, small scale wood cutting business” had been on site for many years and the proposal would benefit the local community.

A planner’s report which recommends refusal concludes: “The proposal will likely lead to an adverse impact on the amenity of existing neighbouring residents, by virtue of noise and other forms of disturbance.”