Anger from neighbors over expansion of 'metal monstrosity' set to be demolished
A “METAL monstrosity” seating area will be demolished by order of the city council.
Outdoor seating at a beach club in Norfolk has been denied retrospective planning permission after angry local residents objected.
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The Silver Sands Beach Club will now have to remove the metal structure that sat next to the shop and provided outdoor seating with a view.
Locals lodged scathing objections to the Heacham application which focused on the appearance of the structure.
The seating area consists of an elevated steel frame construction with metal stairs. Upstairs there are seats on a black wooden terrace, which overlooks nearby North Beach.
One objector said: “The towering, ugly metal scaffolding built around the Silver Sands pub that you are now confronted with as you drive onto the beach road is completely out of step with the iconic wooden beach houses and huts, or the low-lying caravan park.
“This metal monstrosity detracts from the natural beauty of the beach and the nearby protected wetland area and will further deter the visitors on which Heacham's economy depends.”
Another said: “This elevated platform is more representative of an industrial site, such as an oil refinery or a chemical plant.
“It has a dominant and overbearing appearance and will be detrimental to the area.”
While a third said: “This metal monstrosity detracts from the natural beauty of the beach and the protected wetland area nearby. It will further deter the visitors on which Heacham's economy depends.
“Additionally, the height and construction of the tower at this location is an accident in the making and should be denied for health and safety reasons before anyone is seriously injured.”
In its decision, West Norfolk Council said: “The structure is considered visually incongruous and inconsistent with the rural coastal town which is characterized by generally low-rise buildings.
“The development appears very industrial in design and the materials are poor and have no particular relationship with the environment.
“The structure is out of scale with the site in which it is located and the lack of handrails to the stairs and poor security, as well as the general relationship with the site, compound this unacceptable impact.”
West Norfolk Council has been contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, residents of Rezare, east Cornwall, are overcome with anger at builders who they say have destroyed their sights with a metal monster that looks like a “rollercoaster”.
What are your rights in this situation?
As this was a retrospective planning application, local residents who objected to the structure were able to make their views known on the application.
In this case they won. But that's not always guaranteed and the council's decision depends on a number of factors, including what the public thinks.
Some developments do not require planning permission.
For example, under Permitted Development Rights it is possible to extend your home with fixed amounts without having to approach your municipality for a building permit.
But if you think your neighbor's building work will exceed these limits, you can check with your local council to see if they have applied for the correct permission.
All building permits are made public so you can see exactly what your neighbor is planning before work begins.
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