In August 2018 after a major fire , the residents of Hemsby were informed by GYBC that the land owners had been given an enforcement order to make the site safe and secure. There were added concerns as to the presence of asbestos. These orders were confirmed by the local press and took place during a meeting on site with the land owner , GYBC and Norfolk Fire Service too. During this fire,  95 fire fighters and 15 different crews were in attendance,  the cost of which was presumably met by the taxpayer .

To date, ( November 2018 ) , there are still major breaches in the perimeter fencing and nominal security around the site . This is all despite numerous calls, emails and photos being sent by local residents to the Environmental Health Department at GYBC. There has been additional vandalism since and more fires have also taken place.

 

Solution
GYBC need to serve an enforcement order on the land owner immediately , thereby ensuring the site is finally made safe and secure. Until this is done local residents and their properties will continue to be put at risk and the additional worry of health concerns will continue.

Personal Story

Hemsby Action Group were formed in November 2017 with the primary goals of getting the site cleaned up, and made safe and secure.  In the course of our campaign,  a survey was also commissioned by the group , with the assistance of Brandon Lewis MP for Gt Yarmouth . The survey asked local residents if they had had any issues with the site ,and what they would like to see happen to it in the future. It was completed by a record number of residents which demonstrated the strength of feeling towards the site. Although residents were sickened and appalled by how the site had been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair  , the majority of them wished the site to remain with it's designation of tourism / leisure use.

The group has also taken steps to request a change of law that allows land owners to be exempt from paying taxes on the land , if the properties are deemed non viable. We have sent a letter to the Secretary of State,  requesting that this is raised in the House of Commons.  One year on , we await a response !

Hemsby Action Group continue to actively lobby GYBC and N.C.C to cut back encroaching vegetation and overhanging branches,  these affect both pedestrians and also motorists visibility and problems avoiding obstacles.

To date there has been very little meaningful improvement ! 

During this campaign,  we have also been made aware of future housing developments planned for Hemsby. 

With all the planned estates , Hemsby will have filled its housing quota without the need for the Beach Road development . The group is unsure how many of these planned properties will be affordable for local residents,  and how our infrastructure will support them. Concerns have been expressed regarding increased traffic in the village , schools and medical places . 

The village does NOT need more houses , but needs more employment opportunities . Norfolk  regularly features in the Top 10 places to visit for holidaymakers , and we should capitalise on this. We are at a loss to understand why no meaningful discussions have taken place with potential investors from the tourism and leisure sector and the land owners  , resulting in a price being given for the site.

In conclusion , GYBC needs to put the residents of Hemsby first and ensure that the " eyesore " of the site is cleaned up and made secure as promised. 

We are aware that the planning application has still not been heard.  The village will not succumb to the pressure placed on them by allowing the land owners to do nothing , and we will fight on. Opposition to the application is even stronger , in light of recent events. 

Hemsby Action Group consider it a great pity, that GYBC in ten years  , have not exercised their right to compulsory purchase the land. 

GYBC is a Council that purports to promote tourism in other parts of the County i.e. Gorleston , but Hemsby is being abandoned.  

GYBC TAKE ACTION NOW