'Much-needed' rural homes look set to be turned down for being in the countryside

Plans for eight "much-needed" homes on the edge of a rural village look set to be turned down - because they're in the countryside.

West Norfolk council's planning committee has been recommended to refuse permission for the properties on a former tennis centre at Sedgeford, near Hunstanton.

A report to councillors says the site on Ringstead Road is outside of the development boundary for Sedgeford, adding: "The development would therefore be on land designated as countryside."

It adds seven letters of support have been received and one objection.

Lyn Pearce posted on the council's planning portal: "At present this site is redundant and an eyesore within our village. I also understand that it is attracting vandalism and drug use.

The entrance to the former tennis centre at Sedgeford (Image: Chris Bishop)

"A residential development would greatly enhance our village visually and provide much needed new housing for families."

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Jane Scott Moncrieff said: "The decaying tennis centre is an unattractive element in the rural landscape to the north of Sedgeford and a series of carefully built dwellings, using appropriate local materials, would benefit the area aesthetically."

And Robert Maddox added: "The current status is the empty centre attracts vandalism and has resulted in police attention. The new housing is more pleasing than the existing buildings."

The plans are also "fully supported" by Sedgeford parish Council, which said: "The current dilapidated buildings, together with the disused tennis dome, have been a blot on the landscape for a number of years and do not in any way complement the surrounding area."

One objector said they would impact on the surrounding area of outstanding natural beauty.

A planning statement said the tennis centre, called Premier Racquets and Fitness, closed in 2011. Since then its buildings have fallen into disrepair and become a target for anti-social behaviour.

It adds: "The proposal for residential development is intended to bring a long-term financially viable solution for the site as an overall enhancement, replacing the span of large buildings which have an industrial appearance with more modest residential development, more befitting the location."

Councillors meet to discuss the application on Monday, July 1.