Snettisham kite shop owner told to move windsocks - SEE VIDEO
A KITE shop owner is strung out after being asked to remove wind socks over claims that they are “obstructing” the highway.
Neil Grant is refusing to take down the 18 poles which have stood for six years outside his Skyriders Traditional Kite Shop in Beach Road, Snettisham.
But Norfolk County Council says it has received a complaint about the windsocks and kites which it says are within the highway boundary according to their maps.
Mr Grant denies the wind socks are an obstruction as they away from the road and says they attracting tourists to the beach shops.
A petition has been launched and scores of people have got behind the bid.
Mr Grant, who also makes kites, said: “I am not going to take them down.
“Technically they are on my property.
“They are not obstruction.
“Whenever I put them out I assess weather conditions to make sure they won’t distract motorists. I do a responsible job.
“There are many other issues down here like speeding motorists.”
Mr Grant says the highest pole is 10 metres high and these can be seen from miles away.
He said: “If I take those down I will be out of businesses.
“I have lost £16,000 so far this year because of the weather.
“The windsock are an important facility as they highlight we are here and they are a tourist attraction.”
Mr Grant is delighted with the response to the petitions which have more than 100 signatures.
Petitions could be found in Mr Grant’s shop and Snettisham Beach Fish and Chip shop
The county council’s John Birchall said: “We have had to take action because a local resident complained about the wind socks.
“We investigated and found that, according the our maps, they have been placed within the highway.
“The county council has a legal duty to protect the full width of the highway - including verges and pavements - from all unauthorised obstructions, including signs, posts and even unlicensed planting.
“We are double-checking that the windsocks are within the highway, but if this confirms that they are, we will have no choice but to ask Mr Grant to remove them.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
