Iceland in Cromer faces prosecution for failing to change its shop front.
Stay of execution for Iceland over its Cromer shop front
Kathryn Bradley
Friday, December 14, 2012
8:16 AM
Frozen food retailer Iceland has been given a stay of execution after planning chiefs agreed to wait until January before launching enforcement action over the design of its Cromer shop front.
A second planning inspector threw out the retailer’s appeal against a notice issued to change the unlawful Church Street fascia, forcing North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) to take action.
During its December meeting, the Council’s development committee heard an agent acting for Iceland had told planning officers the supermarket was currently preparing an alternative scheme for the shop front, which would be submitted before Christmas.
But councillor’s greeted the news with scepticism.
Benji Cabbell Manners said: “I think Iceland is just flexing its muscles. It has had plenty of opportunity to come to the negotiating table. The time has now come to prosecute the company. We have had two inspectors support that view.”
Councillors agreed to wait to see if the new scheme was submitted before Christmas and authorise enforcement action at their meeting on January 10 if not.
The shopfront in Cromer’s conservation area was developed without planning permission three years ago.
Government planning inspector John Bell-Williamson was the second inspector to rule against Iceland, after in February the firm appealed an NNDC decision to refuse a retrospective planning application.
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17 comments
Iceland, with its local employment and paying of tax to local council is not the problem. Its little men with big Ego's that are the problem in Cromer
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Farquarson-Smythe
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
There is not a worse blot on the town, listed parts or not than the gross frontage of amusement arcades, tacky gift shops and some eateries. Learn from Sheringham in as much as that David doth not always win when he takes on Goliath.
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It's_all_a_conspiracy
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Could I urge Cabbell-Manner & our other councillors to take note of the comments made here; prove that you all are not as out of touch with public opinion as you seem!
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Paul Radbourne
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Would like to agree with all the comments made.
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Tinkerbell
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Would like to agree with all the comments made.
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Tinkerbell
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Somehow I find the furore over this perfectly acceptable shop front all the more amazing when I consider the eysesore our councillors have allowed in the churchyard this Christmas!
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Mr Majika
Saturday, December 15, 2012
To quote from your report. Benji Cabbell Manners said: “I think Iceland is just flexing its muscles." And nobody in the council has never done that, using influence and power? Just asking
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weaversway
Friday, December 14, 2012
@LittleEnoch...Ye Olde Iceland Shoppe....snap!...look at my post from last year....Perhaps Iceland should have put up a rusty hand painted sign, something like... 'Ye Olde Iceland, Boiled Crabs ,Whelks and Fish Tails ' to appease the avid Cromer conservationists.
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popeye
Friday, December 14, 2012
The frontage of Iceland is better than many of the other shops in this conservation area Cant believe that there is anything worth preserving in Cromer , except the roads out of it !
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Richard
Friday, December 14, 2012
How does the Iceland shop front harm the conservation area? How is it any different from Boots, Postles, Main Street or Natwest fronts? Why aren't they facing prosecution? None of them are architectural gems but they present a smart and tidy frontage. What do NNDC want? Ye Olde Iceland Shoppe? Egged on by a bunch of self-elected Cromer Preservationists who think they know best for everyone else, NNDC are taking a farcical stance that would be funny if it were not for the fact that they are using our money to pursue this. I wonder if the planning inspector bothered to actually go and look at the buildings in this part of Cromer.
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LittleEnoch
Friday, December 14, 2012
Yet again, some stupid negativity and, needless council bureaucracy towards a company who brings, not only business to the town, but also provides significant employment, in these extremely hard times. May I suggest that the planners think very hard and recommend that no further action is taken and the shop front is approved? In fact, they should be encouraging openness about these planning constraints and be going out of their way to attract more businesses to invest in Cromer, it certainly needs it.
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Brian Prior
Friday, December 14, 2012
NNDC are trying to sound like they are on the side of those concerned about shop fronts. Yet when Holt Town Council turns down illuminated ugly signs they overturn the decision!
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Jono
Friday, December 14, 2012
i actually think this is pathetic myself, surely the council new what the front of iceland would look like, is it actually causing harm to the town? no i dont think so. it employs local people and locals shop there, council must think that if they close the business what would replace a store that size? grow up cromer council, spend your money and time on other stuff thats more important.
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sammyjb
Friday, December 14, 2012
I see the council are happy to prosecute Iceland, howver they seemd to have turned a blind eye to the fiasco regarding th Bath House Hotel!
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Quin99
Friday, December 14, 2012
I see the council are happy to prosecute Iceland, howver they seemd to have turned a blind eye to the fiasco regarding th Bath House Hotel!
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Quin99
Friday, December 14, 2012
haven't the council got anything better to do other than penalise companies who employ and bring many people to cromer.starting on the piles of dog poo everywhere in north walsham which my children are always standing in would help!!
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kaz
Friday, December 14, 2012
Seems more like Benji & Co trying to act the big men! It's no worse than some of the other shop fronts & brings in revenue to the town. Grow up & see the big picture NNDC
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Mr Majika
Friday, December 14, 2012