New Holt car park plans

Attempts to create a car park in Holt are on the move once again following years of hold-ups.

Plans for a facility with nearly 400 spaces at Thornage Road have already been approved by planners at North Norfolk District Council twice but have failed to result in any additional parking in the town following a host of setbacks.

The last application was given delegated approval in 2008 but was halted because of concerns about the disposal of effluent from a proposed toilet block - which almost saw it scrapped.

Now after over a year without any sign of progress, developer Graham Chapman has submitted the latest version of his plans for considera-tion.

The proposals outline plans to create 300 general parking spaces, five coach spaces, 20 "drop-off" or short-term places, 65 permit-holder ones and the retention of the troublesome public toilets.

The car park would operate from 6am and close at 10pm and provide pedestrian access to the town centre, which is a five-minute walk away, via Valley Lane.

In a document submitted to the district council, Peter Mitchell, from PGM Consultants on behalf of Mr Chapman, says: "A commercial assessment has been carried out and we believe that, subject to receiving planning approval, the project is viable and will be carried out."

This week the latest version of the plan was given full backing by town councillors, who have also supported previous proposals. A letter is to be sent to district planners emphasising the need for the development.

John Lintott, chairman of Holt's chamber of trade and commerce, said businesses in the town were keeping their fingers crossed that this time the plans would go through without further setbacks.

But plans for the Thornage Road greenfield site - which is part of a conservation area - have received significant opposition in the past.

The application will be discussed by the district council's planning committee at a later date.