In a recent development, plans for a rural holiday park with 46 cabins at Barwick, located between Docking and Fakenham, have been turned down.
The applicant, identified in planning papers as D Symington, had sought full planning permission to develop the land at Frogs Hall, Barwick for use as a holiday park. The proposal included the change of use of the land to station up to 46 cabins and the use of the existing dwelling on site, known as Frogs Hall, for use as a manager’s house and shop.
The applicant argued that the proposal was for holiday accommodation, a tourism use, within a rural location, and would therefore enhance the visitor economy. However, the application faced strong opposition from local residents and the Stanhoe Parish Council.
The council stated that Stanhoe has no infrastructure, is not on mains sewerage, and has no public facilities other than a village hall and an upmarket gastro pub. There are no shops or other public facilities, as reported by the Eastern Daily Press.
Furthermore, the farming company GW Harrold and partners, based on Barwick Road, expressed concerns about the increase in traffic that the proposed holiday park would bring. As a fully-operational arable farm, they have frequent traffic of large vehicles such as tractors, sprayers, combines, and deliveries.
They argued that during the summer months, when the proposed holiday park would be at its busiest, their farm traffic would increase even further, creating significant safety concerns on this narrow single road with no passing bays.
The local community also voiced concerns about the lack of amenities in the area to support significant numbers of extra visitors. One objector, Kevin Casey, stated, “This is a farming area and there are limited amenities in the area to support significant numbers of extra visitors.”
Despite the applicant’s assertion that the holiday park would enhance the visitor economy, the West Norfolk Council’s planning portal indicates that the application has been refused. This decision underscores the importance of considering the impact of such developments on local communities and the infrastructure in place to support them.
The refusal of the holiday park proposal in Barwick highlights the ongoing tension between the desire to boost the local economy through tourism and the need to preserve the character and infrastructure of small rural communities.
It serves as a reminder that while tourism can bring economic benefits, it must be balanced with the needs and concerns of local residents.
