Latest news with #GYBC
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Black Beauty fenced in as Great Yarmouth sculpture starts to lean
A sculpture of a horse has been fenced off for safety reasons after it began to lean less than three months after it was Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) invested £330,000 in creating a sculpture trail around the town, featuring a dozen works by local, national and international fibre-glass model of Black Beauty was created by Lois Cordelia and inspired by author Anna Sewell and her famous 19th Century novel. Ms Cordelia said she was "relieved" the subsidence did not appear to be a result of vandalism. The sculpture stands opposite the birthplace of Sewell in Church Plain, near the town's minster, and was unveiled in a ceremony on 13 Cordelia, who painted the model in public view at Great Yarmouth Market Place during the summer of 2024, said: "I am extremely relieved to hear it is not a case of vandalism."It has been utterly heart-warming to hear so many appreciative comments since the piece was installed."Everyone told me how popular it has been. I very much appreciate the council working hard to resolve the issue swiftly and hope that Black Beauty will be back on full view very soon." A GYBC notice on fencing around the sculpture stated: "We are sorry this play area is currently out of action awaiting repair and maintenance."For your own safety please keep out of the area. We apologise for the inconvenience caused."The council has been approached for further details. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
ITV News
08-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Coastal erosion plan to rehome 'high-risk' Hemsby households in £1.6m project
A pilot scheme could help rehome 30 households in a seaside village who are at risk from coastal erosion. Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) has proposed investing £1.6m in developing a project to provide new housing for people living in Hemsby, Norfolk. It is one of the most vulnerable stretches of Norfolk coastline, with many properties expected to become unsafe in the coming years. Up to 30 homes in high-risk areas in Hemsby could be demolished with the aim of eventually replacing them with new housing built on farmland. The project would work through the authority procuring land further away from the eroding cliffs before undertaking the necessary surveys and negotiations to secure planning permission. This will result in the land increasing in value, which, if sold, could help the borough council recover the costs. Next week, cabinet members at the Conservative-controlled council will be asked to approve the initial £1.6m budget to bring the project to fruition, which will use Resilient Coasts funding from the Environment Agency. In a report, officers said: 'The aim is for the very first time to give people at high-risk of erosion, choices through financial support, whilst addressing coastal erosion impacts and accommodating coastal adaptation.' Carl Smith, leader of the council, said the move would allow the council to act 'creatively' to support the community of Hemsby, which has been told new sea defences would be unaffordable. He said: 'As everyone is aware, our coast is on the frontline of erosion and the effects of climate change. "To adapt to these changes, we are determined to find solutions that best help the people affected. 'This funding would provide us with a unique opportunity to test and realise meaningful adaptation in Hemsby, including financially supporting and safely relocating residents at very high risk of coastal erosion.' Councillors will meet to discuss the project on July 15.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Council plans new licensing scheme for rented homes
A new licensing scheme covering 5,000 rented properties will improve housing conditions, councillors in a Norfolk town are being advised. Great Yarmouth Borough Council said a selective licensing scheme, if agreed at a meeting on 3 June, would cover the Nelson, Cobholm and Southtown, and Central and Northgate wards. It would replace a previous scheme that covered 1,500 properties, which private-sector landlords criticised as being costly and of little effect. Councillor Paul Wells, portfolio holder for licensing, said: '''We know some privately rented properties are in a poor condition and we are determined to try to improve standards.'' The council said it carried out a feasibility study which included data about demographics and the condition of rental accommodation in the borough. Officers said the initial scheme led to considerable improvements and helped the landlords understand their responsibilities and "what good property management looks like". If introduced, the scheme - which would include 60% of the borough's private-rented housing - would not be allowed to make a profit. Running costs would be covered by a proposed licence fee of £784 for landlords. Paul Cunningham, chairman of the Eastern Landlords Association said: "I have brought this to the attention of the MP to say this is a pointless exercise. "It is another way of Great Yarmouth Borough Council alienating landlords. Of all the local authorities I work with GYBC is the most difficult to deal with. They are anti-landlord and are the only council in Norfolk to look at selective licensing. "The cost will be passed on to tenants and therefore the rents will be increase and more and more landlords will sell. "There is already a lack of landlords across the area and country, and this will make housing asylum seekers look more attractive." Mr Wells added: ''Generally, we have responsible landlords, but not everyone has a home that is safe, warm and good quality. This scheme would mean landlords must comply with a number of licence conditions. "Bad housing has a detrimental impact on the lives of people and our residents deserve better where there are problems." He added: ''We already have some powers related to housing, but this scheme will allow us to more effectively deal with a range of issues that impact people. "We will be better able to tackle health hazards and overcrowding – which is a real problem for some of our residents. ''We would be able to systematically inspect properties to make sure things like gas and electric certification are up to date, rather than simply reacting to complaints as we currently do. ''Where necessary, we could refuse to issue a licence and hold people accountable.'' Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. 'I can't live in a home like this' New licensing scheme for private landlords City seeks views on HMO improvement scheme
BBC News
16-03-2025
- BBC News
Artworks previewed before Great Yarmouth sculpture trail begins
Sculptures that will create an art trail in a seaside town have been shown in a preview ahead of their Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) has invested £330,000 in the project through the government's Town Deal funding.A dozen works, created by local, national and international artists, will be installed across the Norfolk town over the next few weeks, with the whole trail set to be unveiled in June."It's part of a wider scheme around tourism and attracting visitors into the town," said project manager Tracey Reed. "We want to be a 365-day tourism economy, and this fits with the work we're doing at the Winter Gardens to help us achieve that."The Winter Gardens, on the town's seafront, are due to be restored as part of an £18m project. Of the sculptures, Natasha Hayes, the council's executive director of place, said: "It's so hard to choose your favourite because they're all iconic in their own right."We've got Vorte Breath, which is picking up on the wind and offshore side of things that happen off our coastline; we've got the seahorses, which are just resplendent and celebrate our natural resources."The sculpture that's arrived [on a lorry] is a heart on a pillar that's got some glass-coloured inserts that will reflect the sun."It's going at the bottom of Regent Road and the idea is it celebrates our tourism."The Juggler celebrates circus, so I can't choose a favourite because I love them all and I can't wait to see them installed." Daniel Candon, Conservative cabinet member for economic development and growth, said: "One of the key aims of this is to improve the visitor experience and this is a trail that will be available all year round."And [it will] amplify the pride of place for local communities. We have an incredible offer of heritage and culture in Great Yarmouth and it is about being loud and proud about it."He acknowledged some public art, such as graffiti murals, had been defaced by vandals, but said he hoped the community would play its part in protecting the sculptures. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The Conge plans for 82 new homes to regenerate Great Yarmouth
A council and two housing associations have submitted plans for 82 new homes as part of a regeneration Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) acquired leases from businesses on the south side of The Conge from 2020 and began demolition in 2024. Using money from the Government's Future High Streets Fund and Brownfield Land Release Funding, the authority has worked with Broadland Housing Association and Orwell Housing on plans for the the proposals, 82 homes, including flats and houses, built on the land, either side of George Smith, the Conservative leader of GYBC, said: ''We are incredibly excited by what the regeneration of The Conge will mean for local people." The council said the partnership would improve a key gateway between the railway station and Market Place, the latter having had £11m invested in a new market building, new paving, lighting and plans involving premises on the north side of The Conge could see further businesses relocated, to allow additional homes to be built in the added: ''This key location has been neglected for some time and this redevelopment is part of our broader regeneration strategy for the borough.''Broadland and Orwell are award-winning housing associations and have a proven track record of delivering and managing high-quality homes and places. "They bring a wealth of expertise and resources to progress the development of this key area of the town centre.''The planning application comes after a public consultation last year on the plans for The Conge, which included an opportunity for people to see the proposals at Great Yarmouth Town Labour group leader Trevor Wainwright said: ''We know there is increasing demand for new homes in the borough and, by working in partnership with two experienced organisations, this forms an important part of our regeneration strategy.'' In a joint statement, Andrew Savage, Broadland's executive director development, and Greg Dodds, Orwell's assistant director of development and growth, said: ''Orwell and Broadland are both locally based and have a long track record of providing quality homes for rent and sale across Norfolk and Suffolk."Orwell and Broadland are delighted to bring forward this iconic site in the centre of Great Yarmouth as the first project under the partnership."The application at The Conge will help to transform a brownfield site into high-quality, well-designed and attractive housing. These much-needed homes in the town centre will be energy efficient to heat for people, and sustainable for future generations who will live there.'' Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
