The owner of a Norfolk beauty spot he says is spoiled by youths revving motorbikes, lighting fires and blasting music claims they are finally “getting the message” after he threatened to close off the site.
Landowner John Carrick - who welcomes visitors to the waterfall meadow just outside Swanton Morley - said he did not want to come across as a “wicked farmer” by threatening its closure but had to do something to protect his land and neighbours' welfare.
It came after a five-star TripAdvisor review attracted hordes of visitors to the site, who have been lighting bonfires and barbeques, playing loud music long into the night, and leaving litter and smashed glass where young children play and paddle in the shallow water.
READ MORE: Threats to close Swanton Morley's waterfall meadow
But Mr Carrick said people were now “getting the message” and beginning to respect the site again.
He said: “I’m happy to share what I’m lucky enough to have and I don’t want to deny people the pleasure of going there.
“I don’t want to come across as the wicked farmer by threatening to close the site, but people need to respect it.
“On hot days this summer we’ve been getting more than 100 people down here.
“I must say, though, over the weekend the place was immaculate. There was no rubbish everywhere like there’s been before – people are getting the message.”
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Mr Carrick’s rules for the site include no fires, barbeques or camping.
Visitors have been told not to park near the three homes on Worthing Road and must vacate the site by 8pm.
He has said he will monitor the site for the next week but will be forced to close it for the remainder of the summer if the rules are not followed.
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