The North Norfolk Council Development Committee met on 18 September 2025, and made decisions on a number of planning applications. The committee approved the erection of five commercial units in Cromer, and a live/work unit in Bodham, while also agreeing to defer a decision regarding the demolition and replacement of a dwelling in Blakeney pending a site visit. Finally, the committee voted to confirm tree preservation orders (TPOs) for trees in Briston and Fakenham.

Cromer - Home Farm Enterprise Zone

The committee considered an application for the erection of five commercial units for industrial and storage uses at Home Farm Enterprise Zone, Hall Road, Cromer. The Assistant Director for Planning (ADP) presented the report, noting that outstanding issues relating to use class had been resolved, leaving an objection from Norfolk County Council Highways as the only remaining concern.

Colin Robb of Cromer Town Council spoke about the application, followed by Councillor Jill Boyle and Councillor Adams, who both spoke in favour of the application. Councillor Boyle noted:

the need for local business in the local area, the need for farms and estates to diversify and her belief that the economic benefits outweighed other policy concerns.

Councillors Liz Vickers and Mike Hankins also supported the application, citing economic benefits and the site's previous use as a coach park. The Development Manager (DM) clarified that policy EC3 did not apply, as it concerned the expansion of existing businesses.

The committee voted to reject a recommendation for refusal by 9 votes to 1, and instead voted unanimously to approve the application, subject to conditions and any new objections raised during the ongoing consultation.

Bodham - Old Scarfe Brothers Workshop

The committee considered an application for the demolition of a workshop building and erection of a live/work unit at Old Scarfe Brothers Workshop, Church Road, Lower Bodham. The Planning Officer (PO-IM) presented the report, noting that the main issues were compliance with core strategies and the design of the building, and that the recommendation was refusal.

Alice Kemp, the applicant, spoke to the committee. The ADP noted the support previously expressed by the ward member and the parish council. Councillor Luke Paterson supported the changes made to the application, and Councillor Angie Fitch-Tillett welcomed the live/work element. Councillors Vickers, Fitch-Tillett and Peter Fisher noted the previous use of the site as a haulage depot.

The DM clarified design changes, including a 1.6m reduction in the height of the ridge. Councillor Victoria Holliday proposed the recommendation for refusal, but the committee voted to reject it by 8 votes to 2. The ADP advised the committee of their options, including deferral for a site visit, refusal on different grounds, or approval. Councillor Hankins proposed that the application be approved subject to conditions, and the committee voted by 8 votes to 2 to approve the application subject to conditions.

Blakeney - 8 Langham Road

The committee considered an application for the demolition of a two-storey dwelling and erection of a replacement two-storey dwelling at 8 Langham Road, Blakeney. The Senior Planning Officer (SPO-OL) presented the report, noting that the main issues related to the design and impact on residential amenity, and that the recommendation was for approval.

Rosemary Thew of Blakeney Parish Council and Edward Hackford, an objector, spoke to the committee. Councillor Holliday spoke against approval, raising concerns about the design, height, proximity to other properties, reduced light to neighbouring properties, flood lights and an air source heat pump.

The committee voted to defer the matter to allow members to attend a site visit, by 9 votes to 1.

Tree Preservation Orders

The committee considered two tree preservation orders (TPOs). TPOs protect specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands from deliberate damage and destruction¹.

Land at Three Oaks, Norwich Road, Briston

The committee considered a TPO for three oak trees at Land at Three Oaks, Norwich Road, Briston. The Senior Landscape Officer, Imogen Mole, explained that the trees are significant specimens that make a significant contribution to the amenity and character of Norwich Road, Briston. Two objections had been received, with concerns raised about the order preventing maintenance, the trees being unmanageable, and potential damage from high winds. Officers considered that the trees made a positive contribution to the local environment. The committee voted to confirm the order.

Land at 1 Fernbank Cottages, Church Lanes, Fakenham

The committee considered a TPO to protect a sycamore tree at Land at 1 Fernbank Cottages, Church Lanes, Fakenham. Imogen Mole, Senior Landscape Officer, explained that the tree pre-dated the dwellings and was in good health, and that it was situated within the Fakenham Conservation Area². Two objections had been received, with concerns raised about limited public visibility and amenity, the number of trees in the area, seasonal nuisance, loss of light, environmental concerns and ongoing structural concerns. Officers considered that the tree made a positive contribution to the quality of the local environment. The committee voted to confirm the order.

Wood Norton - Field Barn Cottage

The committee considered an application for the installation of 36 ground mounted solar panels at Field Barn Cottage, Wings Lane, Wood Norton. The application was referred to the committee because the applicant works in Property Services at North Norfolk District Council. The panels would be mounted on a frame system with a maximum height of 1.5 metres, and sited alongside the western boundary of the property's curtilage.

The Landscape section of North Norfolk District Council raised no objection, subject to a condition regarding Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). No representations were received following publicity via site notice. Officers considered that the proposal complied with policies SS1 and SS2 of the North Norfolk Core Strategy³, and that it would not result in any significant harm to the character and appearance of the area. The committee voted to approve the application subject to conditions.

Development Management Performance

The committee received a Development Management Performance Update, which set out performance in relation to the determination of planning applications in August 2025.

The report indicated that:

• 100% of major decisions were issued within the time period, against a target of 60% (80% NNDC).
• 91% of non-major decisions were issued within the time period, against a target of 70% (90% NNDC).
• The 24-month average to 31 August 2025 for major decisions was 98.00%.
• The 24-month average to 31 August 2025 for non-major decisions was 96.00%.
• The percentage of major decisions overturned at appeal was 1.54%.
• The percentage of non-major decisions overturned at appeal was 0.89%.

The committee was also provided with a schedule of draft S106 obligations. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between local authorities and developers, used to mitigate the impact of new developments on the community⁴.

Appeals

The committee received a report on appeals, which listed new appeals, written representation appeals in hand, and appeal decisions.