Issue - meetings

Executive Summary

This report outlines a procedural issue whereby the Council needs to declare the hard-surfaced area of North Lodge Park, Cromer as no longer required for its existing purpose, thereby allowing it to be advertised for alternative use – i.e. for a small Pay and Display public car park.  This is a legal process separate to the need to obtain planning consent for the proposed use.

Options considered

During 2025 the District Council undertook a process of public consultation inviting comments on the future use of the hard-surfaced area of North Lodge Park, Cromer.  Uses considered included commercial and community uses or re-purposing the space as a small Pay and Display public car park.  No viable commercial or community use was established through the consultation process and the Council has therefore developed proposals for a small (44 space) public car park on the area of land.

Consultation(s)

Approval of the recommendation will allow a formal process of public advertisement / consultation to be undertaken whereby members of the public and local stakeholders can formally comment on the proposed release of the small area of land within North Lodge Park for alternative use, as a public car park.

Recommendations

That Cabinet agrees that:-

i)             the hard-surfaced area (former tennis courts and children’s play area) to the east of the main drive in North Lodge Park, Cromer is no longer required for its historic purpose as recreational land, under section 164 of the Public Health Act 1875.

ii)            the proposed alternative purpose of the hard-surfaced area should be the provision of a small Pay and Display public car park, and shall be advertised as such

iii)           in accordance with section 122(2A), the Council shall:

1.    publish notice of its intention in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks; and

2.    consider any objections received.

iv)           That authority is delegated to the Chief Executive to:-

1.    Publish the statutory notice;

2.    Receive and analyse objections; and

3.    Report back to Cabinet for the appropriation decision.

Reasons for recommendations

To put a long-time vacant and unsightly area within North Lodge Park to beneficial use – strengthening the vitality and vibrancy of the Park through increased footfall and providing much needed additional public parking to the eastern side of the town, generating additional income for the Council, a proportion of which will be ring-fenced for further investment in the Park.

Background papers

2023 – 2027 Corporate Plan