Public have say on rural building

People wanting to comment on a new north Norfolk policy governing the way rural buildings are converted and reused have just over a month to give their views.

People wanting to comment on a new north Norfolk policy governing the way rural buildings are converted and reused have just over a month to give their views.

The previous policy came under national scrutiny recently because it meant a family from Happisburgh faced being forced to leave the barn they had turned into a home but which only had permission to be used as a holiday let.

The Kinsey family won the day at an appeal and the future of their home is secure - but the overarching rural buildings conversion policy is now under review and a draft replacement has been drawn up.

The policy sets out which types of building could be suitable for conversion and where.

The public can comment on the draft policy until November 13.

Once it is examined and agreed by an independent planning inspector, it will be included in North Norfolk District Council's local development framework of planning policies, which will be used in assessing planning applications up to 2021.

Virginia Gay, leader of the council, said: “We want a policy that will help to breathe new life into our rural areas, by allowing redundant buildings to be re-used while also preserving the well-loved character of our countryside.”

To see the draft policy and other relevant documents visit north Norfolk libraries, the council's offices or go to www.northnorfolk.org/ldf.