Burnham Market Parish Council to be subject of review due to lack of members

A village council struggling with a shrinking population caused by a rise in holiday and second homes is to be the subject of a review.

West Norfolk Council has agreed to conduct an evaluation of Burnham Parish Council, which could lead to it being allowed to have fewer members.

Known by some as Chelsea-on-Sea due to the high influx of wealthy Londoners buying property there, about 50% of homes in the village are not used as a primary residence.

This has led to the number of people living in Burnham Market declining by about 200 in recent years.

Brian Long, leader of the Conservative group at West Norfolk Council, urged people to become involved with their local parish council to avoid similar situations arising.

He said: “It is a real shame parish councils are looking at reconstituting themselves. It is a real pity these villages haven’t got people wanting to be on them.”

The governance review will decide whether or not to allow the council to reduce its members from 11 to eight.

The issue of second and holiday homes has become a controversial topic in Burnham Market, prompting the council to ban new developments from being bought by people not using the properties as their main residence.