Mini-revival in the town is welcomed

From Muswell Hill (1979), in North London to Gorleston on Sea (2018), it may have taken Wetherspoons 39 years to arrive here but there is certainly a mini revival going on in the town.

Last October saw the re-opening of the Palace Cinema, this week The William Adams Wetherspoons and now there is talk of the beach huts returning to the seafront.

Anything that can make the town more attractive for both locals and visitors alike can only be of benefit and although the town is earning the reputation of a rival to Southwold, (beach huts there can sell for anything up to a ridiculous £100k), it makes good business sense to bring the huts back.

Now all it wants is for the town’s railway station to return, (closed 1970). I think, however, that would be just one step too far but the mere thought was nice and it does not hurt to occasionally dream!

DAVID MANTRIPP

Elm Avenue,

Gorleston

What’s happened to our port lifeline?

The coming of the Outer Harbour we all thought would be a lifeline for our businesses, tourism, holidaymakers, offshore and wind energy prospects.

The news of the harbour now being used as a boat park really will impress any new company that had designs on coming here.

Several weeks ago we had the news of a “maybe” ferry service between us and Holland, but no, false alarm. Prior to this we had news of five visits by cruise liners, with an estimated 400 visitors on each ship visit.

When we look back through the years from 2005 we see a picture of failure, not by the Great Yarmouth Port Authority on its own but by Norfolk and Yarmouth councillors who in their lack of wisdom allowed high finance to take ratepayers to the cleaners.

By this I mean the details agreed in 2005 by the ratepayers on how the grants should be used were completely ignored. Now our port is a satellite of Liverpool, further windfarm work seems years away, the dismantling of platforms is very quiet, and it is the wrong time of year for grain shipments.

Taking everything into consideration are the councillors and Port Authority proud of the handling of what was to be the lifeline to prosperity.

JOHN L COOPER

Burnt Lane,

Gorleston

Take care: Palm Oil found on beaches

At the weekend, while walking on Winterton beach we came across a large lump of what could have been palm oil, plus lots of small bits. Later we walked towards Hemsby and then towards Horsey where unfortunately we found more. Some of it we removed from the beach but there is still more and after reading about the dog at Sea Palling I thought it may be an idea to bring it to the attention of dog walkers and others that the danger is along the coast.

My husband talking to a friend in Caister, has told him that it has been washed up on the beach there also.

HELENA LAWS

Email

Homes being built in silly places

Thank you for the article about the new-build social housing in Filby. This is, in effect, Great Yarmouth Borough Council designing and building houses for itself.

Is this the best they can do? Cramped plots, no space, little parking, nowhere for children to play safely: actually, “anti-social housing” in every way. Houses need to be built as if people mattered, and not be reminiscent of miserable, cheap, chicken coops, put up just to meet a quota.

I believe we have a serious and escalating problem in our area. Now we have a National Park here, we are so quick to publicise the wide open skies, the beauty of the area, the abundance of rare wildlife and the loveliness of the quiet rural villages, so please, can we have joined up thinking from our borough council and our MP Brandon Lewis.

The current approach to planning is spoiling the rural villages, destroying the wildlife, and littering this beautiful countryside with too much inappropriate development in silly places.

On the plot in Filby, for example, one semi detached two-block in line with the others would have a satisfying design, in keeping with the houses already there, and the homes would be a joy to live in.

I would urge all resident in all our villages to be vigilant in what is being planned and voice your opinions, making sure that any houses built are of a good design, well built and above all really necessary and appropriate for the people who genuinely need them. Otherwise, our villages, which are admired country-wide, will be swamped and destroyed by development we do not need and cannot service.

JOAN SAUL

Main Road,

Filby

‘Beach-combing’ has new meaning!

Amongst all the problems and difficulties highlighted on our letters pages, I feel a positive note might be welcomed.

One day recently, walking on Gorleston seafront, I was thinking about all the many things and people we so often take for granted.

On my journey to the Pier Hotel to enjoy the company of friends over morning coffee, in a warm and welcoming environment, I paused to reflect on the ever-changing scene before me.

Gorleston beach, recently ravaged by the “Beast from the East” was being carefully restored to its former glory by the unsung operators of three bright yellow diggers.

As they combed and teased the ruffled sand back into position, it was an incredible feat of precision timing and teamwork.

I would like to think they may read this letter and be encouraged to know that their input has not gone unnoticed or taken for granted – for me at any rate “beachcombing” has taken on a new meaning!

DUSTY MILLER

Links Road,

Gorleston

Strange math on tax demand notice

Has anyone else noticed some strange math on their council tax demand notice, reference the “Adult Social Care Precept”, or is there a mistake just on my bill?

This is the charge the authority can now levy without referendum as explained in the handy booklet they sent out to help pay for social care.

Last year this particular charge on my bill was £58.62, this year it is £96.05 or an increase of £37. Now according to the council this is an increase of only 3pc? I make it more like a rise of 63pc?

Could this be a mistake or is it just clever math because £37 is indeed 3pc of the far larger charge on my demand now entitled “Norfolk County Council Non-Adult Social Care” charge? Of course stating a rise of just 3pc looks far more acceptable than a stonking increase of 63pc and could explain this creative approach?

Or am I being a cynic?

JASON FAKES

White Street,

Martham

Line of Emperor’s new clothes!

Oh dear, here we go again. The third river crossing and come 40 years too late and will be in the wrong place, unless you want to drive to the new hotel on the South Denes.

But this is just the latest in a long line of Emperor’s new clothes. Let us start with the large screen TVs - where are they now? Next the Marina Centre, built without adequate car parking or bus stops.

The outer harbour, yet 70 miles up the Ccoast we have one of the biggest container ports at Felixstowe which can be used in all but the severest weather and at the end of a decent duel carriageway.

What did happen to all those jobs?

The ice rink in the Market Place at Christmas; how much did it cost?

C JERMANY

Lexington Close,

Hemsby

Reaching out to our war veterans

It’s The Royal British Legion’s belief that every Second World War veteran should have the chance to revisit the battlefield on which they served.

Thanks to new LIBOR funding from HM Treasury, we are now able to offer a fully funded trip to anyone who served in our Armed Forces during the conflict.

However, as there is no unified record of Second World War veterans that are alive today, I am reaching out to you and your readers in the hope that you can help us spread the word.

The trips will take place between Spring and Autumn this year and a family member and a carer will also be able to go along and share this pilgrimage of Remembrance with them.

Organised by Remembrance Travel, part of The Royal British Legion, the trip will give the veterans - now mostly in their 90s - a chance to meet up with fellow ex-servicemen and women, and pay their respects to their fallen comrades.

Veterans who may be interested in this opportunity need to apply through our tour operator, Arena Travel on 01473 660800, or visit: www.arenatravel.com/journeysofremembrance.

CHARLES BYRNE

Director General

Royal British Legion

Landlords will buy the new homes

I agree with people who are referring to many new homes as “rabbit hutches”.

Too many small brownfield sites are having tiny houses crammed onto them; and described as starter homes or affordable homes. They have little or no gardens/yard and no room inside to swing a cat!

But I think the worst thing is they are more expensive than the present homes that surround them and which are so much bigger – some being four or five-bedrooms because they were built at the start of the 1900s when people had bigger families.

And these existing houses when they go on the market will be cheaper to buy than the brand new tiny ones. Ironic eh?

It is down to the greed of developers and builders who want to cram as many homes on one site to make the most money. But who will buy these affordable homes? I can tell you because I know someone who is interested – a person who already has a portfolio of several houses in the town which he/she then rents out.

So how can these homes be said to be affordable for young people to get onto the housing ladder when someone who is already a property owner is adding them to his/her portfolio? More houses off the “For Sale” market and probably forever.

Is there not a clause in the council housing plans rules that says they have to be sold to young people getting onto the ladder? And what if one person buys all of the houses on the one site?

What a nonsense.

B HASLEM,

Gorleston