Dereham beauty spot car parks could reopen after councils hold peace talks

The car parks on Neatherd Moor have been blocked off by Breckland Council, much to the dismay of the residents who live opposite the moor - Residents from left, Peter Whitesides, Shaun Lewis, Sandra Gravett, Les Brambley, John Homard, Derek Baldry and Bill Gravett. Picture: Matthew Usher.

Martin George Monday, March 4, 2013
6:30 AM

Bollards that have blocked parking at a popular Dereham beauty spot following a dispute between two councils could come down by the middle of the month.

The car parks on Neatherd Moor have been blocked off by Breckland Council, much to the dismay of the residents who live opposite the moor. Picture: Matthew Usher.

A town councillor last week accused Breckland Council of acting “like a bunch of storm troopers” after it prevented dog walkers, disabled people and young mothers who drive to Neatherd Moor parking in three areas.

The town council owns the open space, but, under regulations dating from 1910, Breckland is responsible for some management and maintenance.

The row flared up after residents who live on the Neatherd Moor track complained about the road’s deterioration, and the two councils sought separate legal advice about which was responsible.

Breckland said it had a duty to prevent encroachment on the moor, and erected the bollards on February 18, but a resolution is now in sight following a high-level meeting between the two sides.

The district council stuck to its position that it would not remove the posts, but the town council indicated it may decide at its March 12 meeting to take responsibility for maintaining the track.

Town clerk Tony Needham said it could then remove the bollards within days, as well as filling potholes in the road as a temporary solution.

He said the councils had agreed to work together to find a longer-term solution.

Breckland Council leader William Nunn said the two organisations had become entrenched in their positions, and added: “My regret is that the town council and my members never came together at the right level at the right time. The conversation was had this week was the right conversation to have, but at the wrong time.”

5 comments

Most ratepayers will not realise that Breckland did authorise "repairs" to part of the road at a cost of almost £1000 last summer - within weeks it was obvious that a bodge job was done and in fact things rapidly got worse than they were before.

Report this comment

Wavyd

Monday, March 4, 2013
Do these councillors have split personalities or what? Most on town are on BDC too, or are co-residents of the Conservative club, so I don't accept WN's lame excuse for his council's heavy-handedness.

Report this comment

Mr Cameron Isaliar

Monday, March 4, 2013
So Breckland Council Leader says that staff at lower levels are petty and immature? Still plenty of waste that can be cut out from councils then if those staff can waste tax payers money behaving like this. They obviously don't have anything better to do.

Report this comment

andy

Monday, March 4, 2013
The people in the picture look really grumpy.

Report this comment

Thoreauwasright

Monday, March 4, 2013
Just show how poorly run our councils are. Money wasted on signs and bollards by people behaving like spoilt children.

Report this comment

Johnny Norfolk

Monday, March 4, 2013