A campaigning group has launched a High Court appeal against the controversial decision granting planning permission for a Cromer crematorium.

The application for the £3m development on town-council owned land north of Cromer cemetery was unanimously refused by the North Norfolk District Council development committee in June last year after hundreds of concerns were raised.

Worries included extra traffic on the main A148 tourist road next to the cemetery as well as potential impacts on cemetery burial space and the North Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Bristol-based Westerleigh Group appealed the decision and the district council refusal was overturned in July this year by the Planning Inspectorate, following a site visit and written representations.

A High Court appeal against the Planning Inspectorate decision has now been lodged by north Norfolk-based AONB Action Group, which was against the proposal.

William Macadam, co-ordinator for AONB Action Group, confirmed the group's lawyer had lodged the appeal but would not comment further.

If built, Westerleigh will run the 1.71 hectare development, which will include a memorial garden, landscaping, new access road and car park.

It will pay yearly rent to the Cromer Town Council for using the land, which lies in the North Norfolk Coast AONB and is on the Cromer Ridge near woodland.

Town councillor David Pritchard said: 'I'm disappointed to hear the appeal has been lodged but I applaud anyone using their democratic right that we enjoy in this country.

'I'm sure the planning inspector's visit was thorough and her decision will be upheld by the appeal court.

'She looked at the site from every possible angle. She was extremely thorough and professional in her approach. I'm sure the appeal will fail and we look forward to having a crematorium in the near future.'

Mr Pritchard added Westerleigh needed to sign for the land lease before work could start on the development.

He believed the crematorium could be open by the end of next year, if the latest appeal failed.

Adrian Britton, Westerleigh development director, said he could not comment until he had seen the grounds of appeal from AONB Action Group.