Plans for new homes for local people on the edge of Norfolk's Chelsea-on-Sea look set to be turned down - despite the long-running row over the impact of second homes on the coast.
West Norfolk councillors are being recommended to refuse planning permission for two properties on a former nursery on Overy Road, at Burnham Market.
A planning officer's report says the site is not suitable because the proposals would be "to the detriment of the countryside" and lead to the loss of part of the gap between the villages Burnham Market and Burnham Overy Town.
It comes despite more than 60 people expressing support for the plan and a planning statement which said: "Local people struggle to be able to afford homes in Burnham Market and with significant growth in second homes there are few opportunities for renting long term.
"The proposal is for two self-build properties and an agricultural barn which the applicant’s children will live in and the applicants will use respectively, as part of their farm.
"These dwellings and the barn will provide much needed affordable accommodation for their family to continue to live and work in the area for years to come."
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Toby Roy posted on the council's planning portal: "I fully support this application which provides much needed housing for a local family.
"There is very little available in the Burnhams parishes, to buy or to rent, and we should be encouraging modest developments in the Burnhams like this for younger working people."
Lisa Gowen added: "There is a significant need for local people to have access to affordable housing. The applicants should be applauded for giving their children this opportunity."
West Norfolk council's planning committee is due to discuss the plans on Monday, February 5.
New twist in long running debate
The burgeoning number of second homes and holiday lets have pushed property prices in the Burnhams beyond the reach of local people.
Around half of properties in the area - dubbed Chelsea-on-Sea because of the number of well-heeled Londoners who spend their downtime there - are no longer permanent residences.
Meanwhile, the village's population has fallen by a fifth in just two decades.
Yet the number of properties has increased, along with their price in a village where the average price of a property is now more than £1m according to RightMove.
Last year villagers voted in favour of a local neighbourhood plan which stipulated any new properties would have to be principal residences which are someone's main home.
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