Plans to turn a former seaside restaurant into flats have been withdrawn on the back of scores of objections from locals.
The controversial planning application to convert the building of the former The View restaurant in Mundesly’s Beach Road was withdrawn on Monday (June 12) after more than 150 objections were lodged with North Norfolk District Council (NNDC).
The applicants hoped to turn the ground floor of the building - which was home to Jonet restaurant for 44 years – into two flats.
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Wendy Fredericks, NNDC’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for housing and people services, said she now hopes the building can become a restaurant again.
“I hope it can remain an asset to the community in Mundesley,” she said.
“I spoke to David Will [the property consultant for the applicants, Charlotte and Neal Gurney], and Martyn Fulcher, NNDC’s director for place and climate change, and set out that there were lots of local objections, as the community didn’t want to lose a commercial place.
“I would like to see it advertised for a commercial lease for at least 12 months and for the new owners to have to prove that they want to open it as a restaurant - but that decision ultimately lies with the owners.
“Our industry relies on tourism, and we also need to give local people somewhere to access evening dining as well.
“Lots of people like to enjoy Mundesley and what it has to offer, and that includes evening dining - which there is currently a lack of in the village.”
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Aside from The Ship Inn and The Royal Hotel, Ms Fredericks said places for locals to dine out of an evening in Mundesley are already few and far between.
“The withdrawal just goes to show the strength of feeling in Mundesley,” she added.
“We need another style of dining here in the village.”
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