West Norfolk council drops legal bid over Heacham campsite

West Norfolk Council launched court proceedings against Nigel Marsh over the site on South Beach Road at Heacham, near King's Lynn.

It claimed the business, which first opened in 2017, breached planning rules.

But Mr Marsh insisted it was not an unauthorised permanent campsite, but an exempted caravan and camping site, which does not require planning permission.

The case was set to be heard before Norwich Crown Court next year, after Mr Marsh denied being in breach of enforcement notices.

Now the council has dropped its action to consider other avenues.

The campsite at Heacham, which the council says breaches planning rules (Image: Chris Bishop)

Mr Marsh said he had spent more than £35,000 on legal advice since the row began in 2021. He has been given just £26 to cover "out of pocket expenses".

"It's frustrating," he said. "They backed out of giving me my day in court. Because they backed out at that stage, I can't get reimbursement of my costs.

"The claim was regarding the operation of  a permanent campsite without appropriate planning approval, yet I have never run a permanent campsite unlawfully, I have only ever run a caravan and campsite under permitted developments, exempt from planning consent, as issued by Natural England."

Nigel Marsh says he has spent more than £35,000 on legal advice (Image: Chris Bishop)

A West Norfolk council spokesman said: "There was no judgement in Mr Marsh’s favour, rather the borough council has discontinued the legal proceedings in the public interest, predominantly due to the length of time the proceedings were taking.

"We are instead considering what action, including legal, might be required to deal with the ongoing breach of planning control.

"The costs awarded to Mr Marsh following the discontinuance is £26."

In 2021, the council obtained an injunction preventing Mr Marsh from using a field at Burnham Norton as a campsite.