Heacham Old Dairy plans abandoned by parish council

Heacham Parish Council bought a former dairy depot in the centre of the village in 2014 and obtained planning permission to redevelop the site.

But villagers were divided over proposals to borrow more than £1m via a public works loan to fund it and the council agreed to put the project on hold in April 2022.

The Old Dairy building in the centre of Heacham (Image: Chris Bishop)

Now the council says it is exploring other options for the site, including selling all or part of the complex, which stands on the junction of the High Street and Pound Lane.

Its chair Paul Rawlinson said the decision had been taken "in light of the prevailing economic position, with escalating building cost growth and increased labour costs".

He said the council was exploring "all possible options" and the use of funds that could be generated from a potential sale or partial sale of the site.

A sign on the wall of the Old dairy building in Heacham (Image: Chris Bishop)

Agents Cruso & Wilkin Ltd are being engaged to manage an "informal tender process" to gauge interest from potential developers or buyers.

The council obtained planning permission to convert the building in November 2020 on condition work began within three years.

Plans included a new main hall, library, kitchen, meeting rooms and offices.

The Old Dairy building in Heacham (Image: Chris Bishop)

The parish council said in a planning statement at the time: "The objective for Heacham Parish Council is to consolidate its existing operations, such as meetings, events, library and parish office, that are currently held across three venues, in one hub for the community.

"Each of the venues currently used is limited by its capacity and parking availability, as well has having a considerable cost in either rent or upkeep."