Our objection to the proposed flat conversion next to the Black Swan Public House & Theatre
New Stages Projects CIC has submitted a formal objection to the proposed conversion of a nearby commercial property into residential flats in North Walsham Marketplace.
Our main concern is simple: the planning report appears to make little or no meaningful acknowledgement of the Black Swan as a working pub, theatre and community venue, despite the fact that the proposed flats would sit directly beside and opposite us. The Black Swan is not just a pub. It is an active hospitality and cultural venue with live music, theatre, performances, outdoor seating, a courtyard and regular evening activity, including work delivered by New Stages Theatre, a registered charity.
Yet the potential impact on the venue — and on the people who use it — appears to have been largely overlooked. We believe there has been inadequate consideration of the effect new residential flats could have in terms of noise complaints, pressure on performances and events, customer access and safety, traffic movement down Black Swan Lane, and waste and bin storage in a prominent part of the town centre.
At a time when hospitality is already operating in a hugely challenging climate, it is deeply concerning to see an application brought forward in such close proximity to an established pub and theatre venue without proper acknowledgement of how that venue functions, what it contributes to the town, and how easily its future could be affected by inappropriate neighbouring development.
You can read our full objection letter by clicking here.
If you would like to make comment on the application in support and in agreement with us, you can do so using the planning part of North Norfolk District Council’s website. You will need to create an account to log into it. Go to the Council’s website here.
Alternatively, you could write to:
Planning Service
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
NR27 9EN
Remember to state the following in your letter:
Planning Application PU/26/1275