Latest news with #FakenhamAcademy
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New pool will be 'huge benefit' to town
A new swimming pool will be a "huge benefit" to a town that has been without one for over a decade, a meeting was told. North Norfolk District Council's planning committee unanimously backed an £11m improvement plan to Fakenham's leisure centre - put forward by the council itself. Conservative Councillor Angie Fitch-Tillett said after figures showed Norfolk had the second highest number of accidental drownings last year, the pool was needed because it was "vital that people learn how to swim". The new pool will have four, 25-m (82-ft) lanes whilst a 3G all-weather artificial grass pitch will be added to site. Its changing rooms will also be refurbished. The authority's Liberal Democrat leader Tim Adams said construction work could start later this year and the new facilities could open in October 2026. Referring to figures from the National Water Safety Forum, which showed 9 people accidentally drowned in the county last year, Fitch-Tillett said pools were a "necessity for people learning to swim". "Don't forget, we've got more water than anywhere else. Not just the sea, but the Broads and rivers," she added. Some members of the town's brass band had opposed the plan, because it will see the demolition of the space they had used to practice in. But the local Conservative councillor Christopher Cushing said the idea had been "received enthusiastically by the majority of residents in the town". There has been a long-running campaign for a new swimming facility since the closure of Fakenham Academy's pool in 2014. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Cold War plane transported to new home Theatre boss amazed to show off Shakespeare stage Motorsport: 'I was the only female in the room' North Norfolk District Council
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Fakenham's first McDonald's allowed despite opposition
Plans for a town's first McDonald's have been approved by a council for the second time, after concerns were raised over its proximity to schools. North Norfolk District Council originally approved the application in March for a new drive-through fast food restaurant on Holt Road in Fakenham, Norfolk. Opponents, however, claimed the authority had not adequately considered the potential adverse health effects the restaurant could have, due to its position near a number of schools. Despite the opposition, the application has been approved for a second time. The planning proposal was put forward by Kevin Foley, who already owns 13 branches of McDonald's in Norfolk as a franchise. While the proposal had been debated by councillors, according to the National Planning Policy Framework, which guides planning decisions, councils should refuse applications for fast-food outlets "within walking distance" of schools, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. The proposed McDonald's is within a 20-minute walk of Fakenham Academy, Duke of Lancaster Academy, Fakenham Junior School and Fakenham Infant and Nursery School. Following a complaint over the handling of the application, the authority agreed to reconsider the proposals at a planning committee meeting. Despite this, council officials determined all four schools were a suitable distance living in the area also previously expressed concern over increased traffic, noise, litter and competition for local businesses. The site would create up to 120 full and part-time jobs, McDonald's said. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
