Norfolk councillor Andrew Jamieson’s orchard expansion, near Holme and Thornham, sparks upset among villagers

An orchard belonging to a senior councillor can expand its juicing operations despite villagers fearing it will lead to “unplanned sprawl”.

Drove Orchards, owned by the deputy leader of Norfolk County Council, Andrew Jamieson, applied for retrospective permission to keep a heavy-duty tent erected at the site.

The firm, which operates between Holme and Thornham, put up the structure to provide more space to make apple juice and cider to be sold at the farm shop next door.

However, villagers were upset that the tent was put up without gaining permission first - and worried it could be the start of more expansion at the site.

In a letter to West Norfolk Council, Holme Parish Council said: “This production activity used to take place inside the Grain Store.

“It is disappointing to see a retrospective application following the displacement of this basic activity due to a shortage of space, and the council is concerned that there could be further unplanned sprawl on the site.

“In the circumstances, it would be helpful to have a clear spatial plan linked to the business plan, indicating the planned growth of buildings on the site.”

At a planning committee meeting yesterday, members discussed the proposal, which would likely have been passed with little fanfare had it not been Cllr Jamieson’s land.

Applications related to any property owned by councillors go through scrutiny by the planning committee, regardless of the scale of the development.

After a brief discussion, the tent was approved unanimously.

Cllr Tom De Winton, who represents the village, praised the expansion of the business and said it “can only be a good thing” for Holme.

Drove Orchards was established by Cllr Jamieson’s father and produces a range of sparkling and still ciders, and is highly regarded among cider aficionados.