FREEREEPHAM LIFE YOUR Community Newspaper www.reephamlife.co.uk No. 2 April 2013 No. 2 Change of use for The Crown rejected CUSTOMERS of The Crown have won the first round in their fight to save the public house in Ollands Road, Reepham, from closure. A planning application for a change of use of the property from commercial to residential was refused by Broadland Dis- trict Council planning committee at a meeting on 27 February. The applicants, Mr and Mrs Garron and Helen Monk of Land of Green Ginger, Dereham Road, Reepham, had proposed to convert the pub into a five-bedroom residential dwelling. A planning application for a change of use of The Crown public house has been The Crown has been up for sale on the refused by Broadland District Council basis for the past two years of existing Reepham. of Reepham life and for the community use. The owner, Punch Taverns, is trying He added: “Although there are two oth- in general,” he said. to sell around 400 pubs across the coun- er public house/drinking establishments At its meeting on 13 March, the Town try this year in an effort to reduce debts within the town, this particular premises Council stressed that it could not become of more than £2 billion. provides the base for social functions, ac- involved in the purchase or management The planning meeting was reminded tivities and facilities that are not currently of a commercial business, such as The that, under a key planning policy, pro- provided elsewhere.” Crown. (This can only occur under very posals for change of use or re-develop- It was also noted that a change of use specific conditions, which the Council ment of a public house in a rural area will would result in the loss of several jobs, currently does not fulfil, such as having not be permitted unless “it can be which would have a direct impact on the two-thirds of its councillors elected.) demonstrated that the public house has local economy. Further, the loss of a food, Cllr Edwin Rose warned that the Coun- been marketed for a reasonable period drink and leisure facility for the commu- cil must be careful in offering any help and no reasonable offers have been re- nity and for tourists visiting the town and to The Crown in view of the other drink- ceived” and “that the business is not eco- using the nearby Marriott’s Way would ing establishments within Reepham – the nomically viable”. have an indirect negative impact on the King’s Arms and the Old Brewery House Broadland head of planning Phil wider economy of Reepham. Hotel. Courtier said allowing a change of use of Broadland District Councillor and vice Meanwhile, Cllr David Patience noted The Crown would result in the loss of a chairman of Reepham Town Council that moves are under way to redraft plan- community facility and a local business, Chris Wheeler was delighted with the out- ning policy at a national level in an effort and would reduce customer choice for come of the planning application. “I be- both eating and drinking facilities within lieve the pub’s survival is an essential part TURN TO PAGE 9 31 Church Street, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8QS. TEL 01263 825274 Manufacturers and suppliers of curtains and curtain poles, roller blinds, pleated blinds, vertical blinds, venetian blinds, fly screens, wooden shutters, canopies, awnings and more. All with free measuring and fitting. www.sunlinecurtainsandblinds.co.uk :H JXDUDQWHH WREHDWDQ\ OLNHIRUOLNH TXRWH Reepham Life, April 2013 3 comment Reepham Life is published by Reepham Community Press EDITOR Geoff Fisher Thank you, people of Reepham ADVERTISING Judy Holland ON Friday 1 March, I set out for a bicycle bar, and to the local nurse and everybody DISTRIBUTION Tim Fryer ride with my friend Shaun. While riding else who I haven’t mentioned. through your lovely town, heading down I was totally overwhelmed by the WEBSITE Jeremy Brockman Ollands Road towards the Spar, we gen er osity, kindness and willingness of Printed by: Colour Print, Norwich went to brake and turn left. But we hit people to stop and help a complete a slippery surface and both fell off our stranger that night. I’m sure that if I’d fall- EDITORIAL ADDRESS bikes in the middle of the road. en in any other town, I would not have Reepham Community Press Firstly, I’d like to apologise to the three been so well looked after. Homerton House, 74 Cawston Road ladies that, unluckily for them, were at the Luckily, Shaun escaped with just a few Reepham, Norfolk NR10 4LT corner as we crashed; I’m sorry if we bruises and a little loss of pride. However, Tel: 01603 308158 scared you, suddenly smashing into I ended up worse off and broke my hip. Email: [email protected] your view. Thanks for your kind offers The hospital did a great job and I had to Web: www.reephamlife.co.uk of help, but I honestly thought I’d be OK. have an operation, having three screws The views expressed in Reepham Thanks also to the local scout leader put in my hip. I’m home now and on the Life are not necessarily those of the who stopped to see if I was alright and mend. Publishers or the Editor waited with me until the ambulance ar- I’d just like to say “thank you” from the All material is strictly copyright and all rived. To Andy the local fireman who bottom of my heart for what the people rights reserved checked me out and kindly stored my of Reepham did for me that evening. bike at the Fire Station. Maybe one day I’ll move to Reepham All materials submitted for To the lady who works in the Spar (I’m as your town seems to have a community publication, including letters to the editor, may be edited for reasons of afraid I don’t know your name), who very spirit that seems to have been lost in so space kindly went home to fetch me a blanket many other places. Thanks again, Reep- and coat: bless you, as I was a little cold. ham; I’ll be sure to visit again soon. Reepham Life, a free monthly To the couple that bought me a chocolate Paul Chick, Thorpe Marriott newspaper, is sponsored by Reepham Town Council and the launch financially supported by ‘Market town or commuters’ car park?’ Broadland District Council’s Small Grants Fund REEPHAM Town Council has agreed to increase the size of the town’s weekly market, which could rise from the current 10 traders to at least 12. The Council has received requests from two potential stallholders selling Place’ – and that’s what it should be. jewellery and craft items, which would Moreover, the shops in Reepham aren’t mean increasing the trading space to the open six days a week, a.m. and p.m.” north of the Market Place on the Old The Town Council voted in favour of Brewery House side. However, this will allowing two more market traders on a result in the loss of several car parking sides, the market is only held one morn- temporary basis “to see how it goes”. spaces during Wednesday morning. ing a week.” Several suggestions were made to While there have been a few com- Town Council chairman Les Paterson move the Reepham Rover community plaints about not enough parking in the felt the market has enough stalls for the minibus if there is a need to free up more town, particularly from certain individuals time being. “Yes, we need the extra trade, space. It was also noted that Broadland who insist on leaving their cars in the but a lot of these customers drive into District Council is currently reviewing the Market Place all day, Cllr Edwin Rose Reepham and they need somewhere to Station Road car park, where long-term pointed out that there is plenty of park,” he said. vehicle storage may be an issue. parking space in the side roads, but that Councillors were reminded that the The next meeting of Reepham Town many people simply do not want to walk. market formerly took up the whole of the Council is at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 10 “Do we want to be a market town or market square. Norfolk County Councillor April in the Town Hall, Church Street, a commuters’ car park?” he asked. “Be- James Joyce added: “It’s called ‘Market Reepham NEW TERM starts 15th APRIL for ART CLASSES Learn skills and techniques. Use water mixable oil paints to paint portraits and landscapes. Classes for all, beginners, with a little or lots of experience. Come to Cawston, Marsham, Holt or Hempton to join my friendly classes! Call me for details, Clementina Sutton 01603 872441 www.reephamlife.co.uk 4 Reepham Life, April 2013 www.reephamlife.co.uk Reepham Life, April 2013 5 views Opportunity to grow IF Reepham is to forge ahead as a vi- able community, it is surely necessary for it to grow. The B1145 (Dereham Road) site would seem to be a good option: it is on a main road, there are footpaths to both schools, it is near the doctors’ sur- gery and it is within easy walking dis- tance of the town centre, with its shops, pubs, church, etc. More housing would justify increas- ing the size of the surgery, bringing more shops and improved road links, and the infrastructure needed to keep the town up to the mark.