Latest news with #WestNorfolkBoroughCouncil
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Traders 'concerned' by major seafront repairs
Traders in a seaside resort said they feared tourists could be put off by major repairs planned for its promenade. Officials have said "multiple millions" will be needed to repair the prom and sea defences at Hunstanton, Norfolk, with work expected to take more than two years. "There's no question that closing sections of the promenade will stop people coming here – it's very concerning," said kiosk-owner Glenn Dickerson. King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council said it "understood" the concerns and it would be talking to businesses as its plans developed. Last week, the authority said coastal erosion had led to the beach dropping, meaning parts of the sea wall's foundations had become exposed and damaged. It also revealed that more than 300 of the large concrete slabs on the promenade could need replacing. Whilst it said the prom remained safe for visitors, work would need to take place as "collapse" was a possibility in the future. The news has caused concern for traders who operate on the front. Urte Shuardson – who runs three stalls with her husband – said the prom "definitely needs work". But she said details from the council had been limited and added: "We've just been handed a letter which didn't say much about what will be happening to us, which is a little bit scary." "Clearly it needs to be done," said Glenn Dickerson, whose business sells hot food. However, he also felt there had been a lack of "transparency" about the plans and was worried work would take longer than the council had suggested. He added: "The whole town will be affected by it. It's a quaint Victorian seaside town, and the promenade is a major feature of it. "A period of consultation with traders [is needed] – not just on the promenade – but in the town itself so that we have a thorough understanding of what's going on." Businesses on the prom rely on trade during the warmer months, and stallholder Michael Parkin said he hoped work would take place in the winter. "You're not going to want to... [bring] your children when there's diggers and what have you," he said But Edward Scarrott, who sells doughnuts and ice cream, thought the proposals were "a brilliant idea" with the prom looking "tatty and dirty". "Obviously, it's doing the right thing for the town with the sea defences because they're sinking," he said. He was not worried by how long the work might take and added: "This is England. Councils take a long time to do everything, don't they?" The council - which is run by the Independent Partnership - said it will take up to 18 months to draw up plans for the work, and it will also need to seek government funding. "As we understand it, the prom will not be closed off completely at any point," said Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment and coastal. "It will be done in sections. We will be able to move traders while that section is being done." The authority's environmental health manager, Dave Robson, said he recognised traders' concerns and "people may be put off coming to Hunstanton". "We haven't got much more information at the moment, but we will engage with the community as we move forward with this process." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More stories from west Norfolk Council demands that wonky yellow lines are fixed 'Wonderful' ferry resumes crossings after repairs Concern over firework displays sparks debate Related internet links King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Hunstanton traders 'concerned' by major seafront repairs
Traders in a seaside resort said they feared tourists could be put off by major repairs planned for its have said "multiple millions" will be needed to repair the prom and sea defences at Hunstanton, Norfolk, with work expected to take more than two years."There's no question that closing sections of the promenade will stop people coming here – it's very concerning," said kiosk-owner Glenn Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council said it "understood" the concerns and it would be talking to businesses as its plans developed. Last week, the authority said coastal erosion had led to the beach dropping, meaning parts of the sea wall's foundations had become exposed and also revealed that more than 300 of the large concrete slabs on the promenade could need it said the prom remained safe for visitors, work would need to take place as "collapse" was a possibility in the future. The news has caused concern for traders who operate on the Shuardson – who runs three stalls with her husband – said the prom "definitely needs work".But she said details from the council had been limited and added: "We've just been handed a letter which didn't say much about what will be happening to us, which is a little bit scary." "Clearly it needs to be done," said Glenn Dickerson, whose business sells hot he also felt there had been a lack of "transparency" about the plans and was worried work would take longer than the council had added: "The whole town will be affected by it. It's a quaint Victorian seaside town, and the promenade is a major feature of it."A period of consultation with traders [is needed] – not just on the promenade – but in the town itself so that we have a thorough understanding of what's going on." Businesses on the prom rely on trade during the warmer months, and stallholder Michael Parkin said he hoped work would take place in the winter."You're not going to want to... [bring] your children when there's diggers and what have you," he saidBut Edward Scarrott, who sells doughnuts and ice cream, thought the proposals were "a brilliant idea" with the prom looking "tatty and dirty"."Obviously, it's doing the right thing for the town with the sea defences because they're sinking," he was not worried by how long the work might take and added: "This is England. Councils take a long time to do everything, don't they?" The council - which is run by the Independent Partnership - said it will take up to 18 months to draw up plans for the work, and it will also need to seek government funding."As we understand it, the prom will not be closed off completely at any point," said Sandra Squire, cabinet member for environment and coastal."It will be done in sections. We will be able to move traders while that section is being done."The authority's environmental health manager, Dave Robson, said he recognised traders' concerns and "people may be put off coming to Hunstanton"."We haven't got much more information at the moment, but we will engage with the community as we move forward with this process." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Stena Immaculate oil tanker arrives into Great Yarmouth port
An oil tanker has arrived at a port for inspection a month after it was struck by a cargo vessel in the North Stena Immaculate oil tanker was towed into the Port of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on Friday after being anchored 16 miles (26km) off the coast. The vessel, which was transporting jet fuel for the US military, had been travelling to Hull from a Greek port when it was struck by Portuguese-flagged Solong on 10 March. On Thursday the coastguard said the boat had been successfully unloaded. According to data on the ship-tracking site, Marine Traffic, the oil tanker was supported by five vessels including four tug boats and a fire-fighting vessel. Richard Goffin, the port director at Peel Ports Great Yarmouth, said: "In partnership with the Department for Transport, the Maritime Coastguard Agency and the vessel owners, the Port of Great Yarmouth will welcome the MV Stena Immaculate into harbour in order for a necessary survey to take place."Duties of this matter are a routine operation for ports, salvage operators and other maritime companies across the globe and at all times, the Port of Great Yarmouth strictly adheres to UK safety regulations and international maritime standards." The Solong, which had been making its way to the Netherlands from Grangemouth, Scotland, arrived in Aberdeen on 28 March following a tug-assisted journey lasting several days. Since the incident clean-up operations of plastic pellets, also known as "nurdles", have taken place between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea and other parts of The Wash in Norfolk. The pellets were thought to have entered UK waters when the oil tanker was struck, with some of them moulding together when the two ships caught fire. On Wednesday, King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council said about 790,000 nurdles and burned fused nurdle mats had been recovered from beaches. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Council refuses Methwold megafarm application
A planning application that would have seen more than 870,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs housed at a so-called megafarm has been refused. Food producer Cranswick had lodged a proposal to expand its current site in Methwold, Norfolk and wanted to pull down existing poultry sheds and replace them with new ones, plus accommodation for people working at the site. The King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council meeting was attended by councillors and members of the public from groups on both sides, and the decision was met by claps and cheers."This is a bad day for the sustainable production of British meat," said a Cranswick spokesperson said. "We are incredibly disappointed by today's decision. We'll now take time to review the decision and consider the options available to us." The company previously asked for the planning application to be "judged in line with the way that other farms have been assessed nearby". In a briefing document, it said it wanted to modernise for a growing market, creating more British food to higher welfare standards through the redevelopment of existing farms. The council had previously been recommended to turn the application down due to its impact on ecology and climate it said it would "consider the applications professionally and objectively". About 25 protesters from the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) gathered outside King's Lynn Town Hall. Jake White, head of legal advocacy at the charity, said it was "delighted" with the outcome. "This is a well-deserved win, not just for the environment but for the local community who united to oppose this unpopular, unlawful and unsustainable megafarm," he said."We are delighted that the people of Methwold have got the result they wanted following the council's robust consultation process." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Methwold mega farm set to be refused on environment issues
Controversial plans for a so-called mega farm are set to be turned down due to a "lack of information" being provided about its impact on ecology and climate changeFood producer Cranswick is seeking planning permission to expand its existing site in the village of Methwold, Norfolk, to rear millions of chickens and tens of thousands of pigs each has previously said it wanted to modernise for a growing market, but locals, MPs, environmental groups and animal welfare charities were among thousands who opposed the Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council's planning committee has been recommended to refuse the application when it meets to discuss the plans next month. In a 200-page report, planning officers said the applicant "fails to demonstrate that the development would not result in significant adverse effects on the protected sites."There was also "insufficient environmental information to enable the council to reach a view" on its impact on the environment and climate change, the report has claimed it had worked with council officers to provide environmental information, but had learned of additional concerns in February and not been been given time to respond. "It is therefore extremely disappointing to learn that the planning officer is recommending refusal of the application due to a lack of information being submitted in respect of ecology and climate change," it has said in its supporting statement to the report reveals the plans received 12,604 objections, a 42,133-signature petition and seven representations in support. Objectors included five parish councils, a local campaign group and two South West Norfolk MPs - former Conservative prime minister Liz Truss and her Labour successor, Terry 10 animal welfare groups also spoke out, along with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), RSPB, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), and business network raised included farming methods, pollution, flood risk, health and the impact on the local economy. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
