New plans emerge for contested beach fishing site

The yard off The Marrams is used by fishermen and women in Sea Palling

Fishermen and women in a seaside village have launched a bid to keep using their yard after holiday home owners complained they were being disturbed.

The group from Sea Palling, Norfolk, had faced enforcement action from North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) over claims their site had become much busier in recent years.

In March, the council rejected an application for a certificate of lawfulness for the continued use of the site, which is about 90 metres (100 yards) from the beach.

A retrospective planning application has now been lodged, which, if approved, would confirm the size of the facility in the Marrams, as well as the type of vessels and tractors stored and buildings for equipment.

Some neighbours have claimed the site has become more "industrialised"

The row began after holiday home owners complained to NNDC about being disturbed by the yard becoming more "industrialised", with bigger boats carrying more equipment.

An investigation by NNDC concluded that: "It is clear that the use currently taking place has used more land, broadened in scope and intensified significantly within the last four or five years."

In a statement, David Will, who is acting as a consultant for the fishermen and women, said: "All the boats and other equipment on the boatyard has been unchanged for at least 10 years."

He added that the site has "been used for boats for more than 50 years".

Local bodies including Sea Palling and Waxham Parish Council said they had "fully supported" the application for a certificate of lawfulness, adding that "the matter had caused considerable indignation from local people".

The parish council also launched an online petition which was signed by more than 2,300 people.

The contested fishing site is shown behind homes in The Marrams, Sea Palling

Six sworn statements have been issued with the application, detailing how the site has been used over the past decade.

In one, a fisherman said: "The essence of the field remains true to its original use and intention to support local fishermen to achieve a livelihood through fishing."

A lengthy summary of evidence against the fishing site, including photos through the years, concluded: "The council was right to reject the previous application over this site, and should do so again."