DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT for

Proposed change of use to a campsite with shower and toilet block at

Land: Holmes next the sea: Kings Lynn: : PE36 6LF for

Thomas Wright: Spring Farm: Halvergate Road: Moulton St Mary: Norfolk: NR13 3UL

29 January 2021

The APPROACH to the DESIGN ELEMENT

Introduction This statement supports a detailed planning application for the change of use of 10 acres of agricultural land into a campsite.

The site is wholly owned by Mr Thomas Wright.

Mr Thomas Wright is the Applicant.

The Design Brief

Seeking permission to turn the agricultural land into a 50-pitch tent only campsite.

The campsite will be open seven days a week from May to September, weather permitting.

This proposed change of use will greatly benefit Norfolk’s tourism trade.

Thomas would like permission to have two free standing shower and two free standing toilet blocks, six Shepherd huts and a reception/camp shop.

History and location

Prior to Thomas’s ownership, the field was used for arable land up until circa 2020. There has been no known planning history.

The Ordnance Survey reference is: TF 69888 42999

The site is located approximately to the South West of Holme next the sea.

The Design Concept

The campsite is for the simple living campers, with no mod cons available. Simply providing land to pitch up, with showers and toilets, allowing the surrounding beautiful nature to entertain our campers for the rest of their stay.

The toilets, showers and reception will be single story and made to be in-keeping with its natural surroundings. There will be eight showers, and eight toilets.

All foul-water from the toilet and showers will be discharged by a septic tank.

All bins will be provided in a screened off area of the site, with recycling for plastics, paper, cardboard and glass.

Fire points will be peppered throughout the site, together with a means of raising alarm in the event of fire.

Landscape The field sits to the South of the road. The field already benefits from beautiful mature hedgerows, although we will plant some tree and hedging in addition.

The showers and toilets will not be visible to the wider landscape and not detrimental.

External Appearance The external appearance of the toilet and shower block, shepherd huts and reception will be of timber to blend in with the landscape.

The campsite will be clearly signposted before the entrance.

Vehicular Access The vehicle access will be straight off beach road, with one entrance to the site for visitors to arrive and depart.

Inclusive Access

The site has the capability and location for cycling to the Coastline, while walking distances to the coast alongside an accessible public transport network available from the village of Thornage, provide numerous alternative traffic modes available to visitors.

Campers will be encouraged to walk or cycle, only using their vehicles to arrive and leave.

Why Holmes next the Sea? Holmes next the sea is a superb place to be based while holidaying in Norfolk, situated only one mile mile from our award winning and utterly breath-taking, rustic, yet charming North Norfolk Coastline and Holme beach. Not to mention at the start of the North Norfolk Coast road, which is filled with breath taking beaches and chocolate box villages, peppered with fresh seafood roadside….

The renowned Peddars Way Trial is right on Holme-next-the-sea doorstep. The National Trail combines two long distance walking trails; Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path. The route starts in Suffolk at Knettishall Heath Country Park and follows the route of a Roman road to Holme-next- the-Sea. The Peddars Way meets the Norfolk Coast Path at Holme-next-the-Sea as it runs from to Hopton-on-Sea. The Trail provides 129.5 miles (208 Km) of walking through impressive scenery and landscape. The majority of the Trail runs through the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Brecks, a unique area of forest, heath and low river valleys.

The pretty little village of Holme-next-the-Sea is located within the North Norfolk Heritage Coast and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The larger town of Hunstanton is nearby, about 3 miles to the south-west.

Holme is situated on this stunning stretch of coastline that starts at nearby Hunstanton, a family friendly seaside resort complete with a long promenade and its famous stripy cliffs. This part of Norfolk is already extremely popular with tourists and attracts visitors throughout the year. During the summer months the large beaches appeal to families, especially those with children, and at other times, notably during the spring and autumn migration periods, bird-watchers are always present. The eastern end of Hunstanton golf links reach to Holme, and public rights of way mean that birders and golfers have learned to co-exist. It is the meeting point of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path which together form a National Trail.

Holme-next-the-Sea is situated on the north Norfolk coast some 5 km north-east of the seaside resort of Hunstanton, 30 km north of the town of King's Lynn and 70 km north-west of the city of .

There is plenty of lovely pubs in walking distance from the campsite. Half a mile away is the wonderful White Horse pub and in Thornham, situated just over a mile away is The Lifeboat Inn, as well as The Orange Tree Inn and Chequers Inn.

The North Norfolk coastline offers a variety of beaches, from the childfriendly to wild, unspoilt stretches of sand.

Hunstanton is a typical family-friendly beach with ice creams, pony rides, funfairs, rock pools, and an abundance of buckets and spades, while neighbouring is wilder, with beach huts nestling among sand dunes.

Brancaster offers a windswept stretch of golden sand, but the star of the Norfolk Coast is the magnificent beach stretching between and Wells-next-the-Sea. Once a year, the Queen’s Household Cavalry brings its horses here for their annual holiday, where they trot through the pine woods and sand dunes before galloping along the water’s edge. An impressive sight to witness indeed.

Wildlife

There is nowhere like north Norfolk to experience the natural world. Famous for its breath-taking coastline, its seal colonies, unique birdwatching, gardens and parks, fantastic nature reserves, the Broads National Park and wonderful walks and woods, exploring natural north Norfolk is a real delight.

Holmes position on the North Sea coast makes it a prime site for migratory birds in autumn. It consequently is home to two adjoining nature reserves, one owned by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the other by the Norfolk Ornithological Association. A pair of black-winged stilts bred at the Wildlife Trust's Holme Dunes in 1987, raising three young.

Not to mention, Norfolk’s coastal spot is named as one of Attenborough's favourite places to visit in the world. Sir David considers Norfolk's Cley Marshes to be "one of the great places in Britain to see wildlife" according to an article written in The Travel.

"Attenborough has also stated the ironic pleasantry that the Norfolk Wildlife Trust was founded the same year he was born - 1926." Head of development at the trust, Nik Khandpur, said: "When Sir David Attenborough visited us in 2015, we knew just how special Norfolk Cley and Salthouse Marshes are to him.

North Norfolk has such a wide and unique variety of wildlife habitats. The ancient woodlands, chalk rivers, fens, broads, farmland, marshes, wetland and sandy beaches means the area is home to many fish, birds and mammals. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the stunning north Norfolk landscape and flora changes all year round.

Unique to Norfolk is the Broads National Park, home to over a quarter of the rarest plants and animals in the UK and is Britain's largest protected wetland. With its many nature reserves, the Broads is an excellent place for birdwatching. There are 230 nationally important invertebrates in the Broads, such as beetles and moths including the Fenn's Waistcoat and reed leopard and enjoy the darts of colour of dragonflies and damselflies.

Also unique to north Norfolk is ‘Britain’s Great Barrier Reef’, the Cromer Shoals Chalk Bed. Created in the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs roamed, it is the longest chalk bed in the world at 20 miles long and you can see it by swimming out and snorkelling. Marine life is abundant with more than 30 species of sea slug, shoaling fish, blue mussel beds, harbour porpoises, seals and occasional sightings of basking sharks. The purple sponge was found here, a species new to science discovered in 2011.

Thornham

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty roughly halfway between the popular seaside town of Hunstanton and the picturesque Burnhams, The Lifeboat Inn at Thornham is the perfect spot from which to explore the subtle beauty of the North Norfolk coastline.

Whether drawn to witness the wonderful wildlife, or keen to get out and explore the numerous walks, rustic beaches and desolate marshy landscapes, keen to indulge in local seafood, there’s plenty here to keep visitors busy.

The village of Thornham, once a prosperous harbour and smugglers’ haunt, is today a small coastal village separated from the sea by its atmospheric marshes. Home to the Lifeboat Inn and its sister pub-restaurant, The Chequers Inn, it’s a magnet for walkers and birdwatchers, with its charming landscape of salt-water inlets and marshes.

Titchwell Marsh

Located on the north coast of Norfolk, between the villages of and Thornham, Titchwell Marsh is a haven for diverse habitats that include reedbeds, saltmarsh and freshwater lagoons where avocets, bearded tits and marsh harriers nest. There's also a wide sandy beach here, which offers extensive views across The Wash.

Burnham Deepdale and

Brancaster Staithe and are on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast, approximately halfway between Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea, just over the hill from Burnham Market, you will find impressive beaches, Scolt Head Island, salt marshes, bird life and wildlife. The Norfolk Coast Footpath is right on the doorstep, running 47 miles along the North Norfolk Coast.

Wells-next-the-sea

Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea have breath-taking beaches, fantastic places to eat, offering fresh seafood caught the same day, scenic walks and nature reserves to explore.

Wells town has a leafy Georgian Square and on Staithe Street you'll find a mix of traditional and contemporary shops. On the outskirts, is a light railway which takes on a four-mile train ride to Walsingham. You can walk from the town to Wells beach or take the seasonal narrow-gauge railway.

Take a walk-through shady pinewood to the sandy beach, and you'll be greeted with a row of colourful beach stilted huts and seals basking on the sand banks. Set in north Norfolk’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wells is part of the largest coastal nature reserve in and Wales and is a magnet for birdwatchers, with its marshes provide the perfect habitat for wading birds, bitterns, avocets, marsh harriers and winter geese. Stiffkey

Sitting on the coast within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the village of Stiffey is renowned for its saltmarsh, one of the country’s richest in wildlife.

The salt marsh is an important conservation area for breeding birds, and with the Norfolk Coast Path skirting the saltmarsh towards Blakeney to the east or to Wells-Next-The-Sea to the west, it is an ideal designation for walkers and bird watchers.

Stiffkey is also famous for its ‘Stewky Blues’ cockles, which are given their blue hue by the mud they live in. You will also find samphire growing here which is a local delicacy in many restaurants.

Just four miles along the coast you will find award-winning Holkham and Wells beaches. A little further along the coast road is Cley, the oldest Wildlife Trust nature reserve, as well as market towns Holt and Burnham Market.

Blakeney

At the heart is Blakeney National Nature Reserve with wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the coastline, ideal for walking and spotting local wildlife including seals and migratory birds. The village has pretty flint cottages, once home to local fisherman, and there are plenty of places to eat and stay as well as pubs, gift shops and art galleries to visit.

From Blakeney, you can take a boat trip to Blakeney Point (as well as Morston Quay) to visit the seal colonies in this National Nature Reserve, managed by the National Trust. Blakeney Point is a perfect breeding site for grey seals and their pups, born during November to early January, and is the largest seal colony in England with over 2,000 seal pups born annually. The Point is created by a longshore drift across the River Glaven and is constantly re-shaped by the tides and currents. These conditions provide an ideal spot for the local delicacy samphire to grow.

A visit to Morston Hall is recommended, located two miles from Blakeney on the north Norfolk coast. Morston Hall has won great praise from regional and national press - including as East Anglia Small Hotel of the Year and is recognised for its outstanding cuisine and high standard of accommodation.

Wiveton

The charming North Norfolk village of Wiveton is within walking distance of the popular coastal villages of Blakeney and Cley-next-the-Sea. Set in a picturesque location overlooking the Glaven Valley, Wiveton is home to the multi award winning Gastro Pub The Wiveton Bell and the popular and quite superb Wiveton Hall Cafe and ‘Pick Your Own’ farm. During the late summer the lanes around Wiveton and the paths on The Wiveton Downs are laden with elderberries, which are excellent for wine-making and preserving, later in the year Blackberries and Sloes are abundant.

Conclusion

There is a significant rise in British families, couples and friends touring their homeland as a simple, affordable, activity-based, mini break in the countryside, as an alternative to the traditional two- week summer holiday abroad. With so much fantastic countryside available right on our doorstep here in the UK, it is easy to understand why so many people are opting for several long weekend breaks throughout the year. People come from far and wide to enjoy Norfolk and its great outdoors and our beautiful coastline, being a resident here we take for granted. Many people live-in built-up areas and do not have easy access to such beautiful landscapes such as ours to enjoy a well-earned break from their busy working lives.

There was a strong demand for pitches during the summer period of 2020, following the lifting of the corona virus restrictions on July 4, 2020. The Government appreciated this rise in demand for staycations and subsequently increased the permitted campsite allowance from 28 days to 56 days until December 2021.

Staycations in 2020 hit the roof and are now a firm first choice for many due to the outbreak of Covid. People are choosing to enjoy their home country rather than jet off abroad, which we believe is now a trend set to stay, as income and jobs are uncertain. Therefore, we must make a conscious effort in our county, being one of outstanding beauty, to provide affordable accommodation where we can.

Due to the corona outbreak, a lot of families who wouldn’t usually stay in this country to holiday, came camping, and consequently invested a great deal in camping equipment and consequently found they fell in love with the experience. Which is why we believe that the camping trend is here to stay. A lot of families who would have chosen to go abroad last year, would have joined friends camping in this county, who were already seasonal campers, and found that their camping trip was a huge hit for every family member, dog included..

Brexit has played its part in leading to a fall in the value of the pound, influencing the rise in camping trips. “Brexit has boosted the staycation, with booking growth for domestic holidays rising from 34% to 46%,” says Dan Yates, founder of online campsite and holiday parking website Pitchup. “Our sector is certainly benefiting from Brexit – more than other sectors of the tourism industry – as we appeal to savvy, budget-conscious travellers who are always looking for ways to make their holiday spend go further.”

Camping holidays’ have been for generations, an ideal holiday for all members of a family, couples and friends to enjoy. Not only is camping extremely affordable, but it is also social and a great way for children to spend their time outside exploring what our wonderful country has to offer. I grew up on camping holidays and exploring our British countryside and look back fondly at the memories made. Camping brings families together and creates a fabulous bond, as everyone pitches in to help put the tent up, wash-up and prepare the daily meals, enabling everyone to appreciate and understand how luxurious their life at home is and importantly spend quality time together, rather than all being on their ipads or phones staring at screens! Exercise, especially cycling goes hand-in- hand with camping, and I remember fondly cycling around various campsites and then on to the beach for the day. Everyone can enjoy the fresh air and nature too. Back to basics camping is fabulous, let alone in a beautiful county like Norfolk. The campsite will be for tents only, we will not accept caravans, campervans, motorhomes, or people sleeping in their cars. As our campsite is for the simple living folk among us, there will be no electric hook-up available. We are lucky that our county has so many areas of natural and outstanding beauty waiting to be explored, and we would like to help people achieve this by giving them the perfect base.

Three in 10 domestic holidaymakers (31%) plan to spend more holiday time in this country in 2019 than in previous years – and more than half of those surveyed (52%) who were aged 25 to 34 plans to increase their UK-based holiday time. The findings come from a poll of 2,006 Brits who take holidays in UK, on behalf of Barclays Corporate Banking. Called The Great British staycation, the report said holidaymakers cited convenience and affordability as two reasons behind their staycations, as well as positive recent experiences of domestic holidays that people want to repeat. North Norfolk's tourism industry saw a record-breaking year in 2017 as the county welcomed more visitors than ever before. There were also 43.5 million-day trips to the county through the year, an increase of 6%, while the value of day trips rose 3%.

The number of jobs in Norfolk’s tourism sector felt the benefit, rising by 3% to 65,398 – accounting for almost a fifth (18.4%) of all employment. Pete Waters, Visit Norfolk manager, said the “fantastic” figures meant the county’s visitor economy had increased in value by more than £500m since 2012.

“We still have some way to go to be considered a top-of-mind visitor destination, but we are outperforming England as a whole and we should be confident going into a post-Brexit world. “

We would hope that our Holmes-next-the-sea campsite will not only be a perfect base for tourists to visit our unique county but also boost local trades, creating more local shops and jobs.

Quality of design of toilets, showers, shepherd huts and reception

We whole-heartedly agree that the natural environment, the quality and local distinctiveness of the environment in north Norfolk is an important asset for the area, which is why we will place great emphasis on ensuring any structure that is built will complement and relate to its surroundings, as well as being safe and accessible for all. The aims to seek to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and the environmental performance of the buildings is also of great importance to us and will be attributed where possible.

Energy efficiency is that forefront of my mind and is the main reason why I would like a simple tent only campsite, with no electric hook ups.

We endeavour to work hard to integrate energy efficiency into any structure that is built onsite and will achieve very-low carbon or carbon neutral developments and meet government targets for reducing carbon emissions.

The campsite will provide a super functional base for visitors, as they will be provided with space to pitch up on flat grassy pitches. There will be showers, toilets, outdoor washing up sinks and waste disposal facilities. Visitors will feel comfortable and at ease, as that is the campsites ethos. Campers will bring their own entertainment, from bikes, to books, to all manner of lawn games. The campsite will be a functional back to basics base, where visitors enjoy all that North Norfolk has to offer, as we will provide no onsite entertainment.

The campsite is for like-minded people who enjoy the peace and quiet and being at one with nature and its surroundings. Which is why ensuring our site is as attractive to its surroundings as possible, and any structure that is built will be made of timber to mirror its surrounding of trees and the countryside. It will blend in beautifully. Any signs will be rustic, and hand painted on wood, to blend in with our ethos of being non-confrontational. The recycling, and waste bins will even be surrounded with hedging, so as not to detract from the surrounding beauty.

The campsite will be accessible for all, as camping is an extremely low-cost accommodation option for our visitors, which in turn means that they can spend more money on the many other tourist attractions North Norfolk has to offer. Our campsite provides no carbon emissions and families will have a super time, entertaining themselves and cooking everything on their fires. So, it is a win, win situation.

Being so close to the coast too, means they can discover our outstanding coastline and nature reserves without having to break the bank too. Our base provides them with a low-cost accommodation option, and the perfect situated base to explore… The campsite will be in-keeping with North Norfolk’s renowned character and chocolate box rustic charm and ensure that all signage and buildings are created so. Timber will be used to clad the shower and toilet block and all signage be hand painted on wooded signs.

The Surrounding environment is extremely important to a tent only campsite, as wildlife plays a part in attracting visitors to come and find our rare birds, owls and butterfly’s, therefore, we will do our utmost to encourage the wildlife to us, which is one of the reasons we will be a tent only campsite, as false lights and music will only scare the wildlife.

Bring a campsite to the Community only brings positives. Not only providing jobs, but bringing more visitors to the local pubs, restaurants and already established coastal villages and towns, and of course to all that North Norfolk’s charm naturally has to offer. According to the North Norfolk Core Strategy Development and control policies, [Economy 3.4.1] ‘The nature of employment in North Norfolk is changing and it is predicted that the number of jobs in manufacturing will continue to decline. While unemployment levels are low the jobs that are available tend to be in lower paid sectors. The Plan suggests that approximately 4,000 extra jobs could be created in the District by 2021. Forecasts indicate that most of these are likely to be in the service sectors such as tourism, retailing and public services. The Economic Strategy aims to promote employment creating opportunities and ensure that as many people as possible have access to good quality, well paid jobs close to where they live’.

The etiquette of camping is one of safety and mutual respect between campers. Campers automatically look out for each other, and back to basics camping has an extremely low to absolutely no crime risk, to both campers and surrounding villages. Because of the nature of our campsite being back to basics, it will attract only like-minded people, and our no music, no noise after 10pm policies, that will be strictly enforced, will deter people who do not share in the ethos.

10 acres would not generate enough income from livestock or arable, as the field is simply not big enough. A tent only campsite is the most economical way to diversify this former farm enterprise into a non-agricultural business, that will not only help to sustain North Norfolk’s rural economy, but also be compatible with protecting and, where possible enhancing, its rural character and environmental resources. The campsite would have absolutely no impact on the vitality and viability of existing town centres or nearby service villages or coastal service villages. It would only add economically to them. According to the North Norfolk Core Strategy [Farm Diversification 3.4.3] ‘The Council is keen to encourage farm enterprises to diversify into new agricultural and non-agricultural business activities that will not only help to sustain North Norfolk’s rural economy but also are compatible with protecting and, where possible enhancing, its character and environmental resources.’

The campsite is accessible by public transport too which is fantastic, and in turn adds to low carbon emissions and public car parking provisions. Campers will be encouraged to bicycle to the site and receive incentives to do so, for example, 20% off their stay if arrive by bicycle. There are also main train lines to North Norfolk too, ensuring the campsite is accessible to all. As it is important to protect car parking in town centres and service villages with limited parking availability, campers will always be encouraged to travel around by bicycle.

Location of new tourism development suggests that because North Norfolk is heavily dependent on the quality of the natural environment and many visitors come to enjoy the beaches, coastal birdlife, the broads and the character and tranquillity of the open countryside. The towns contain many attractions and act as a focus for visitors and accommodation, particularly around Cromer and Sheringham. Therefore, to support the tourism economy, and provide facilities that will also benefit the local community, new tourist accommodation will be permitted in areas that can accommodate additional visitor number without detriment to the environment. The campsite will have next to no impact on the environment whatsoever, and not conflict with any other industries. The campsite will be accessible to existing visitors and local residents by a choice of travel modes too.

Holmes-next-the-sea is situated one mile from the coast, therefore classed as a ‘hinterland’, it is not associated with being a threat to the protected environment that is of international importance. Hinterlands is a priority location for new tourism related development to support the role of the tourist resorts, where there is capacity to absorb new visitors.

Retaining an adequate supply and mix of tourist accommodation is necessary, and there is currently only one tent campsite available to visitors at present within five miles. There is already an array of caravan sites, but these are usually privately owned, which in turn limits the supply of accommodation available for new or infrequent visitors. Therefore, some methods of controlling this loss are required in order to assess the impact of the tourism sector and the wider community.

Within five miles of Holme-next-the sea there is currently only one option for camping, and that is based in the centre of Hunstanton. There are currently two caravan sites in Holmes.

Although there is plenty of choice for Caravan Parks…. Beach Holiday Park, Norfolk Coast B&B Cottages and camping, Pioneer Holiday Park and Palm Beach.

Lots of coastal areas only seem to cater for a certain kind of tourism. As demonstrated here there is nowhere to pitch a tent in the area. From Heacham to Burnham Deepdale, you will drive 12 miles along the coast and only come across one campsite that allows tents, in Hunstanton. There is a big gap for low impact and affordable tourism in the most beautiful part of Norfolk.