A planned Time and Tide Bell project in Happisburgh has been thrown under a cloud over fears it could damage the environment around the beach on which it was to sit.
But the organising group for the bell - an installation that would ring when the tide is going in or out - have dismissed the claims made by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
Robert Payne, from the group, said: “They claim, against all common sense, that our bell poses a ‘significant loss’ of habitat in the region.
“As we don’t have that money in the budget after all the other expenses of fabrication and installation and other licences, this puts the whole project in jeopardy.”
Mr Payne said other time and tide bells which had already been installed around the UK coastline had been granted marine licences, with fees capped at £1,400.
But he said the Happisburgh project was facing a far higher fee.
He said: “A case officer at the MMO has deemed the Happisburgh bell to be equivalent to deep sea fishing and commercial dredging and therefore the fee for our application is an uncapped £5,000 upwards.
"Happisburgh has cause to feel it has been abandoned by central government in regard to sea defences.
"Does it also have to suffer at the hands of government bureaucrats for a simple arts project?"
An MMO spokesman said the project fell within ‘Marine Protected Areas’ meaning it had to carry out an assessment of its habitat regulation.
The spokesman said: “The bell placement creates habitat loss within the protected areas, which means the case is classed as complex due to the additional requirements under the legislation.”
The MMO said charges were based on an hourly rate, and it was required to recover its costs for processing marine licence applications.
Duncan Baker, North Norfolk MP, has weighed in on the issue, and said he planned to raise it with Lord Richard Benyon, the biosecurity, marine and rural affairs.
Mr Baker said: “I’m very disappointed that the MMO are charging the Happisburgh Time and Tide bell such a high fee to get their community project installed. I’m seeing Lord Benyon to see if some common sense can be applied to the project.”
The Happisburgh installation has been funded by a £15,000 Arts Council England grant and another £6,000 raised by the community.
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