Turnstone
ALARM bells rang when it came to my attention that the wall surrounding Hunstanton Infant School in Valentine Road would have to be increased in height for security reasons.
Visions of stark wooden fencing sprang to mind, so it was a pleasant surprise when undulating iron railings were added, which are in keeping with the school’s Victorian heritage.
This led me to compare the concern shown by planning officers when alterations are proposed to properties in some parts of the Conservation Area with the apparent lack of concern when it comes to proposals affecting other parts.
It is not just the obvious aberrations such as the building described in some advertisements as Hunstanton Pier, or the utilitarian building erected on the site of the former Sandringham Hotel called Harlequin House (aka the H Block).
In Hunstanton the malaise is more widespread than that. The apartment blocks currently occupying land once graced by elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings on Cliff Parade make no attempt to blend in with their surroundings.
Perhaps it is being too cynical to suggest that planning officers and councillors might be motivated more by self interest than planning policies when it comes to approving planning applications, which will fund their salaries and pensions by providing increased council tax revenue.
This may not be fair comment, but the situation is in danger of getting worse in Hunstanton.
Ever since local government reorganisation in 1974 many local inhabitants have expressed concern that revenue from car parks is not spent on improvements to the town.
The latest cause for concern is the proposed sale of land on the site of the former railway station, currently used for parking cars and coaches.
This scheme is unpopular for several reasons. It appears that only a fraction of the money raised from the sale of land will be spent on the regeneration of Hunstanton.
The sell-off is likely to result in a shortage of parking spaces at peak times, which has already led the borough council to suggest using the community centre field as a car park to compensate for the reduction in the number of parking spaces near to the seafront.
If enough space is not left for a railway line, the chances of reopening the line from Hunstanton to Lynn will be greatly diminished.
It reminds me of a meeting of Hunstanton Urban District Council shortly after the line closed in 1969. The council was offered first refusal when British Rail put the station up for sale.
The advice of the Town Clerk was that the land would not be needed for car parking. To my amazement councillors accepted his advice and voted accordingly.
History has shown how wrong that decision was. The current proposal to sell land may prove to be equally short-sighted.
In a recession when land values are low, rather than dispose of valuable assets, it would surely make better economic sense, in the longer term, if highly paid council officers faced the prospect of redundancy instead…
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
