A building scheme that development bosses feared would get in the way of Great Yarmouth’s long-awaited third river crossing has been given the go ahead.

Infrastructure chiefs at Norfolk County Council objected to energy giant Asco’s plans to erect a temporary warehouse at its base in Fish Wharf, as the site lays directly in the path for the much-anticipated river crossing.

But the borough council’s planning committee passed the plans unanimously as they felt the building was important in helping the quayside firm’s operations run smoothly, and maintaining its presence in the town.

The warehouse will be used to service Asco’s eight year contract with Perenco and will cut out 40 daily truck journeys from its Pasteur Road warehouse, by simplifying transfers from ships.

Energy bosses stressed the new warehouse was key to Perenco’s commitment to the town in allowing it to “operate efficiently”, and without it the company would have to consider moving to their Humberside base - putting around 1,000 Yarmouth jobs at risk.

Glenn Hurren, regional director at Asco, spoke of the importance of the scheme at Tuesday’s planning meeting.

He said: “In terms of keeping jobs in Great Yarmouth, the number is well into the hundreds, not up to the 3,000 as advertised for the river crossing.

“My question to you is will that (crossing) happen within the next eight, 10 or even 15 years?”

Ian Moulton, from Perenco, added: “Our home is here in Great Yarmouth and this is where we want to stay, but to remain viable we need to be efficient, and this (building) will help us.”

Councillors were immediately supportive of the scheme and passed it unanimously.

Permission was given for the temporary “modular” building to be erected for a period of eight years, after which it will have to be taken down and moved. The warehouse, which will also accommodate office space, has been designed so it can be dismantled and moved easily.

Caister north councillor Barry Cunniffe raised concerns over what would happen to the building once the eight years were up, and although not knowing where exactly it would go, Mr Hurren confirmed it would remain in Yarmouth.

Ormesby councillor Jim Shrimplin questioned how long it would take to demolish the building and was advised it would take around three months.