It stands sentinel above the cliffs of Happisburgh, punching into the sky above empty fields. 

But vehicles could soon be passing closer to the village’s iconic lighthouse under a plan to relocate a car park. 

Happisburgh Parish Council wants permission to ‘roll back’ the visitor carpark it runs, and build a new access track off Lighthouse Lane.

The move is in anticipation that creeping coastal erosion will one day see the existing carpark off Beach Road fall into the sea. 

But the plan - which North Norfolk District Council will decide on - would see cars pass and park between the lighthouse and the homes on the south side of Beach Road.

A bid put together by the consultancy Planning Places on behalf of the parish council calls the car park move a necessary step.

It says: “Happisburgh Community Car Park is in danger of being rendered inaccessible due to coastal erosion and is under threat from erosion itself.

“Happisburgh Parish Council, the applicant, is aware of the impending threat of erosion, and wishes to continue to provide a community car park so visitors may safely access Happisburgh beach. 

North Norfolk News: A plan from the planning documents, showing where the new car park and access road would go in relation to the houses on Beach Road, HappisburghA plan from the planning documents, showing where the new car park and access road would go in relation to the houses on Beach Road, Happisburgh (Image: Planning documents)

“The access track will serve the existing car park for a short period until the eventuality that the existing car park and access renders untenable due to cliff erosion."

No objections have yet been lodged against the application with the district council. 

But when the idea was floated last year scores of residents were opposed.  

The new car park would have 90 spaces including seven disabled spaces, which would all be surrounded by trees or shrubs. There would also be a ‘buffer zone’ between the car park and the nearby homes to cut noise pollution.

The application claims the new track and car park would have no negative impact. It says: “However, it will provide significant ecological and biodiversity benefits as part of the landscaping proposed and it would enhance the general character and appearance of the area through the proposed planting.”

Planners also say that while the views from the lighthouse would be impacted, any harm would be outweighed by the benefits.