SIGNATURES on petitions throughout shops in Gorleston are building up in protest at plans to develop an old lifeguard hut by the beach. After a previous plan was pulled, a new application was submitted to turn the building into one that sold hot and cold food and drink- but this time without including the nearby public shelter.

SIGNATURES on petitions throughout shops in Gorleston are building up in protest at plans to develop an old lifeguard hut by the beach.

After a previous plan was pulled, a new application was submitted to turn the building into one that sold hot and cold food and drink- but this time without including the nearby public shelter.

Despite the change, new and rephrased petitions are circulating objecting to the developer's application.

Mitchell Swann, 24, works at the Ocean Bay Amusements, one of his family's businesses, which, along with the Lower Promenade Marina Bay Caf�, and Marina Bay Arcade Amusement, have been running their own petitions.

“We're just getting signatures now for the petition in the three businesses we've got and there have been well up to 200 signatures already. The petitions came in shortly after the reapplication, and they have gone to other shops too, like The Yacht Club nearby, and they're also being handed out and shops are photocopying the originals.”

Mr Swann went on to comment that things were gaining momentum, and since word of the new application had spread more and more people were getting involved.

Tracey Kelly runs Dimascio Ice Cream near the old lifeguard building and agreed that upset had spread well beyond affected traders in the area.

She said: “I had a petition but some customers took them off our hands to get signatures themselves so I can't say how many signatures it's had. However, when it comes back we want to co-ordinate all the petitions and hand then them in. I'm also encouraging people to go to the planning committee meeting.”

The final date for the public to make their views known to the council is Friday, February 12.

The next two planning committee meetings are due on February 16 and March 16, though the lifeguard hut plans haven't yet been scheduled onto an agenda.