CONTROVERSIAL Gorleston plans such as the redevelopment of the lifeguard hut and the Cap and Gown pub could be a thing of the past if local councillors have their way.

CONTROVERSIAL Gorleston plans such as the redevelopment of the lifeguard hut and the Cap and Gown pub could be a thing of the past if local councillors have their way.

All the borough councillors representing Gorleston wards, led by Bernard Williamson, are hoping to influence the authority's Local Development Framework, which sets out what is, and is not, acceptable for an area.

Labour councillor Mr Williamson said deeply unpopular schemes, such as the plans to turn the former lifeguard hut into a caf�, could be prevented because the Gorleston councillors would be able to influence the planning policy for the area.

To this end, a committee has been set up of representatives from the Gorleston wards, who will be giving their views to a meeting of the Local Development Framework working party on Monday.

Cllr Williamson said: “Gorleston has never had the attention it should have received in planning terms because it is as large as Yarmouth, the population is the same as Yarmouth and therefore it should be given more attention.”

Other areas that could be given greater attention in future planning policy include Gorleston High Street, the riverside conservation area and the Shrublands and Magdalen estates.

The future of the lifeguard hut remains uncertain after campaigners celebrated when proposals were quashed to turn it into a food and drinks outlet.

Last week, plans to build 15 new homes on the site of the Cap and Gown pub, in Magdalen Way, were given the go ahead by the council's development control committee, despite objections from 975 Magdalen estate residents.

The residents' main objection was that the new homes would exacerbate a problem over a lack of car parking spaces for shops and homes in the Magdalen Way area.

There were also concerns the new 16 parking spaces at the homes would attract gangs of anti-social youths.

Mr Williamson had proposed creating an Area Action Plan for Gorleston which would have set up a planning framework, but this was rejected by the borough's corporate management board in favour of supplementary planning guidance from the local councillors.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is a special group of Gorleston councillors looking after Gorleston long overdue? Write to Letters at the Mercury, 169 King Street, Great Yarmouth NR30 2PS or email anne.edwards@archant.co.uk