Norfolk Live, Norwich (2025)

15/11/2025

The leader of Breckland council has said it will continue to use a hotel for temporary accommodation despite mounting concerns over anti-social behaviour.

The NR19 Hotel in Dereham has come under increasing scrutiny from councillors and members of the public in recent months due to ongoing concerns about crime and disorder linked to the Grade-II listed building, also known as Hill House.

A recent Freedom of Information request carried out by this newspaper revealed there have been nearly 250 police call outs to the property in the past five years.

Sam Chapman-Allen, leader of Breckland Council, said the authority would “continue to work with the landlord” and insisted the hotel had been deemed safe following inspections.

“To give the residents of Dereham some confidence, it is a safe property. We have inspected it from a building safety perspective.

“We will continue to monitor it from our perspective to make sure that it is compliant and we will continue to work with Norfolk Police around the anti-social behaviour.”

Breckland has previously said it is aiming to cut down its usage of the hotel amid ongoing investment into council-owned temporary accommodation, however Mr Chapman-Allan has pointed to the issues the council is facing in terms of supplying this particular housing.

He added: “The challenge for us as a housing authority is we haven’t got enough single bedroom units across the district and our mindset is we always want to house someone within Breckland so we can provide that wrap-around service.

“These individuals are entitled to reside in Breckland. Our job is to try and find them a home and give them that security so they can begin to rebuild their lives.”

A separate report over the summer found that vulnerable “households” – which included more than 100 ex-offenders – are being housed in Dereham from councils as far afield as Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk.

Mr Chapman-Allen said Breckland Council was “working really hard” to ensure it was not “saturating” the NR19 Hotel or any other site in the market town.

“We will continue to urge our fellow colleagues across Norfolk not to place further burden on that property but also the wider Dereham area,” he said.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Henry Durand

15/11/2025

The candidates set to fight it out in a crucial Norfolk by-election have been revealed.

The next councillor to represent the Hunstanton ward for West Norfolk Council will be chosen by the public on November 27.

It comes following the resignation of long time councillor Paul Beal due to ill-health last month.

Two weeks out from election day, the majority of the six candidates have now detailed their plans for the coastal town.

Ade Adeymo – Conservative

Mr Adeyomo is standing as the Conservative candidate.

He graduated from the European University of Lefke in Cyprus in 2018 and later completed a postgraduate qualification in project management at the University of Northampton.

He has held a series of customer service roles in London and East Anglia and says he wants to “champion local issues, improve services and ensure every voice is heard”.

He adds that he understands the challenges the community is facing, and is “committed to making a positive difference”.

Tammy Edmunds – Liberal Democrats

Born in London, Tammy Edmunds has lived in Hunstanton for nine years and has been a town councillor for around a year and a half.

Steph Aquarone, the Lib Dem North Norfolk MP, has endorsed her and says she is “the sort of local champion Hunstanton deserves”.

She has pledged to fight for local NHS and dental services if elected to the Borough role and wants to ensure the town “gets a fairer deal” from the borough council.

Chris Heneghan – Labour

The labour candidate for the by-election will be Chris Heneghan.

He has worked as a sub-editor since the 1980s for publications including the Guardian, the Telegraph and The Sydney Daily Telegraph.

He finished last in the 2023 local elections, where he contested for the nearby West Winch ward.

If successful he would join his wife Deborah Heneghan, who has served St Margarets with St Nicholas Ward after being elected in 2023, on the borough council.

He says he plans to push the borough council to build more affordable homes and work with his Labour colleagues to gather more investment for the town.

Howard Johnston – Independent

Howard Jonhston is running as an independent but previously ran as a Conservative for the seat in the 2023 local elections, finishing third with 510 votes.

Like Heneghan, he has also been long-involved in journalism, having worked as a regional newspaper editor from the late 1970s and later as a publishing director of national consumer magazines, before founding his own business in Peterborough.

He says he has spent nearly six decades in public life and has been active in local charities and campaigns, including efforts to restore the King’s Lynn to Hunstanton railway.

He has been endorsed by his predecessor, Mr Beal.

David Nice – Independent

The second independent candidate, David Nice, also ran for the Hunstanton seat independently in 2023, finishing fourth with 436 votes.

He is yet to release a public statement detailing his ambitions.

Fred Pidcock – Reform UK

Reform UK’s candidate is Fred Pidcock.

A veteran of the Royal Tank Regiment and Fleet Air Arm, he later founded and ran an international offshore oil services company for nearly three decades.

Now retired in Norfolk, he says he wants to bring “real-world accountability” to local government, promising value for money for taxpayers and a practical, non-political approach to council decisions.

He said Hunstanton locals deserve a councillor: “Who is approachable and responsive.

“My experience hasn’t been in politics, it’s been in action,” he added.

Voting will take place at Hunstanton Town Hall on November 27 and the polling station will be open from 7am to 10pm.

The winner will then be announced before noon the following day.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Henry Durand
📷 (Left picture) Fred Pidcock, a former tank commander, is standing for Reform (Reform UK)

(Top right) Ade Adeymo, the Conservative candidate (North-West Norfolk Conservatives)

(Bottom right) Tammy Edmunds is standing for the Liberal Democrats (North West Norfolk Liberal Democrats)

14/11/2025

Tomorrow's weather forecast for Norfolk

14/11/2025

Breckland Council is distributing free 'Warm Packs' to local residents to help them stay warm and well this winter, funded through the Mindful Towns and Villages programme.

The scheme is building on the success of last year's initiative and will see the Warm Packs distributed through local community groups.

Residents will not need to register or meet any eligibility criteria to receive comforting items, such as blankets, insulated cups, slipper socks and soups (while stocks last), to help them during the colder months.

This initiative also supports Breckland's commitment to developing Age Friendly Communities, helping older residents and those who may be more vulnerable to stay warm and well during winter.

Cllr Tristan Ashby, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Health and Communities, said: "We know some of our residents may struggle to stay warm and well during the winter, and the Warm Packs are just one way we are supporting those in need during the particularly difficult cold and dark months. This initiative reflects our commitment to care for our community."

For more details on how to access a warm pack, as well as advice on staying warm and well this winter, tackling energy costs, warm spaces, and other support, visit our staying warm and well webpage.

The council also provides other support to help people struggling with the cost of living. Residents can explore financial support options, including help with energy bills, housing, and more on our dedicated webpage.

✍Original copy via Breckland Council

14/11/2025

Today's weather forecast for Norfolk

13/11/2025

Officials have scrapped changes at a Norfolk Broads beauty spot after the plans stirred controversy and more than 100 objections.

The Broads Authority says it has “listened carefully” to the objections to installing a series of floating pontoons along Heigham Sound – a key entrance way to Hickling Broad.

Boaters were furious about the proposal, arguing it would leave them unable to sail up the narrow channel due to the width of the structures.

While others complained that losing the permanent moorings would result in a loss of half the available space for vessels to tie up and stay the night.

The plans stirred fierce backlash from navigation committee members, who warned hire boat firms would suffer as a result of the changes.

A spokesman for the BA said: “The Broads Authority has listened carefully to the comments made by several members of its Navigation Committee and other stakeholders on the proposal to replace the end of life piling at Heigham Sound with pontoons.

“Concerns were raised to the authority about narrowing the river, access to the bank and the overall length of mooring retained.

“In the light of this, the authority has decided to withdraw its planning application and consider alternative options.

“The replacement of the current steel piling with like-for-like may be unaffordable, especially given that other sites have similar issues.

“As always with the maintenance of the Broads there are no easy answers. Once other solutions have been explored, costed and appraised, they will be presented to the Navigation Committee.

“We thank you for your feedback and understanding.”

Installing the floating pontoons will have saved the BA about £150,000 compared to repairing the permanent quay heading.

The structures have previously been supported by BA members, as a cost-effective alternative that will also cope with rising river levels, which is becoming an increasing issue in the Broads.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Owen Sennitt

13/11/2025

The cheapest petrol in Norfolk right now 🚘

13/11/2025

Tacos are a dish best served with lashings of hot sauce.

But in the streets of Norwich, the Mexican staple is leading to a different kind of spice that has sparked a showdown between Taco Bell and the owners of a rival local firm.

Derek and Suzanne Hardy, food entrepreneurs who, between them, have launched several food businesses including City Taco on the market, have attempted to stop the fast food giant from opening later at its London Street restaurant.

The pair, who also run Don Txoco, a Spanish steakhouse in St Benedicts Street, claim noxious smells coming from the US chain’s extractor fan are leaving them unable to sleep.

After finishing a day’s work, they say they are unable to use their bedroom until the restaurant closes due to bad odours entering their home.

The unit is located at the back of the fast food chain’s site, near their flat in Old Post Office Court.

They say that because they are unable to spend time in their bedroom while the restaurant is in operation, they are forced to sleep on the sofa in their living room.

In a letter to Norwich City Council, Mrs Hardy said: “Our wellbeing is seriously affected by this situation as we are having to sleep in our living room before 11pm and then get up early to start work at 7am.

“The one day we have off is Sunday but the extraction is turned on at 9am… so we are unable to relax.”

She was told by officers that they could not complain about the odours being a public nuisance if they occurred during daytime hours.

But now, Taco Bell wants to operate later into the night until 1am.

The row culminated in a licensing meeting this week, in which solicitors for Taco Bell dismissed claims the restaurant was causing a public nuisance.

Matthew Phipps, a lawyer for TLT solicitors specialising in licensing, said there is “insufficient evidence” to back up Mr and Mrs Harry’s complaints, as environmental health officers have not taken any action against the business.

Other residents of Old Post Office Court have not complained about the smells.

However, Taco Bell were forced to make changes to their operations six months ago, due to a lack of cleaning of their extraction system, following the couple’s complaints about bad smells.

At the meeting, Mrs Hardy told a panel of councillors that the more regular cleaning was “making very little difference”.

However, officials have not received any complaints since, until an objection was lodged with NCC against the licensing application.

Mr Phipps added that the Taco Bell restaurant was being managed to high standards, as evident by its five-star hygiene rating.

Also, a national firm called Linekers carries out regular cleaning and maintenance of its extraction system every six months as required.

He added: “We do not accept that the problem continues unabated. If it is, where has environmental health been for the last six months?”

After a discussion behind closed doors, the panel of councillors decided to approve the bid to open an hour later, meaning Taco Bell will now operate until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, there are strict conditions imposed on the business, which include more regular cleaning of its extractor fan system to match the increase in cooking caused by the later opening hours.

The monitoring officer said the committee had taken into account the objections and that the conditions imposed will be “mitigating measures” to prevent any public nuisance.

If further issues arise, the licence could be reviewed.

TACO TAKEOVER?
Businesses serving Mexican street food are becoming increasingly popular in the city, with several venues starting in recent years.

Taco Bell opened in 2024 in London Street, as part of an ongoing expansion in the UK.

Other chains that also opened in the city last year include Tortilla in nearby White Lion Street and Plan Burrito in Timberhill.

The latter opened very close to Avo, an independent burrito and taco restaurant running since 2022.

On the market, you will find Mr Hardy’s City Tacos and in NR3, there is Fuego Tacos at the Stanley in Magdalen Road.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Owen Sennitt

13/11/2025

A town councillor has been accused of hypocrisy after resigning in protest over the introduction of car park charges.

Harry Clarke stepped down from Dereham Town Council last month, saying he would be “unable to look locals in the face” if the authority agreed to take over car parks from Breckland District Council, which may lead to parking charges being introduced in the near future.

However, Mr Clarke, who had served on the town council for 11 years, has decided to retain his seat as a Breckland councillor, prompting criticisms from a former colleague.

Rob Jamieson, who has also been vocal against the possibility of introducing parking charges, has questioned why Mr Clarke had not remained in post to “help secure the best deal possible” for the town.

He said: “I like Cllr Harry Clarke, and I’m fully aware that he has done a lot for our community over the years, but I can’t help but feel it to be somewhat hypocritical to resign from his unpaid Town Councillor role, in protest over the decision to take over the car parks, whilst remaining in post at Breckland DC.

“Why couldn’t he stay and help the rest of us Town Councillors to secure the best deal possible for the future car park management in the town, whilst also using his seat at the district council to lobby for the transfer of funding to assist the town councils to keep the town car parks free?”

Figures show Mr Clarke received £22,256 in allowances from Breckland between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, a fact that some close to Dereham Town Council have cited in questioning his motives.

The row comes as Dereham and four other towns in Breckland consider whether to take over local car parks as part of a district-wide shake-up of responsibilities.

Town leaders have warned that charges are now “inevitable”, with Dereham expected to adopt a deal giving it the power to raise council tax or levy parking fees as part of the purchase.

Mr Clarke has been one of the most vocal opponents of parking charges in the town, previously leading a petition that gathered more than 7,000 signatures.

Alison Webb, a Breckland councillor who also covers a Dereham ward, defended her colleague’s right to act according to his conscience.

“At the end of the day what Harry decides to do is up to Harry,” she said.

“He felt that was the wrong decision, and he’s made his choice.”

Mr Clarke has declined to comment on the criticisms.

A by-election is due to be held on December 11 and is expected to cost Breckland around between £6,000 – £7,000.

✍Original copy via Local Democracy Service by Henry Durand

Norfolk Live

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