McDonald's told new restaurant would be refused BEFORE it consulted locals |
McDonald's public consultation about building a restaurant, car park and drive-through on land off the main A149 at Heacham, near Hunstanton, closed on Tuesday.
But now it has emerged pre-application advice from West Norfolk Council, which was issued in February, had already said the scheme was likely to be rejected because of its impact on heritage sites - even before the leaflets went through villagers' doors.
The site is close to the Grade II listed Caley Mill, the home of Norfolk Lavender (Image: Chris Bishop)
A conservation officer raised strong objections due to the site's proximity to two Grade II listed buildings - Caley Mill, the home of Norfolk Lavender which dates back to 1837, and an ancient bridge across the Heacham River.
"This scheme would bring about an irreversible change to the setting of these structures," they said.
"It would introduce built form into an open space between two listed buildings and erode the sense of space that exists in this area,........