A tiny coastal hamlet has drawn up plans to curb the numbers of second homes in its rural enclave.

The parish council at Ringstead, near Hunstanton, has now put the 96-page document out to consultation.

It says the village, with just over 200 households, "is considered a special place by its relatively small number of permanent residents and very many occasional residents and visitors".

Eastern Daily Press: Residents consider Ringstead a special placeResidents consider Ringstead a special place (Image: Chris Bishop)

It adds: "Our villages are changing they are no longer, and will never again be, small working villages with the entire population living and working locally.

"Our villages have a reducing percentage of permanent residents, and within this population the percentage of retired people moving into these villages is increasing.

"The number of second homes and the impact of tourism have increased dramatically here, as elsewhere locally."

Eastern Daily Press: Ringstead's draft neighbourhood plan also seeks to conserve its rural characterRingstead's draft neighbourhood plan also seeks to conserve its rural character (Image: Chris Bishop)

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The plan states any new developments in the village should not become a second home or holiday let.

It says a previous consultation revealed "a strong feeling that any new homes should be for local people", in a community where the average property sells for £360,000 - more than 10 times the average household income.

Eastern Daily Press: A view across the fields to RingsteadA view across the fields to Ringstead (Image: Chris Bishop)

Some 71 of the 211 properties in Ringstead are second homes or holiday lets.

The draft states: "Almost two-thirds of residents responding to a consultation survey feel that the level of second homes and holiday homes in the village is a problem.

"The impact of this is most felt in relation to the level of community spirit, with fewer people knowing or supporting each other and being involved in village life."

Eastern Daily Press: There are just over 200 households in RingsteadThere are just over 200 households in Ringstead (Image: Chris Bishop)

It says proposals for all new housing, including new single dwellings, conversions, and replacement dwellings, will only be supported where "first and future occupation is restricted in perpetuity".

Land off Peddars Way North has also been earmarked for up to six affordable rented properties.

After the consultation finishes on March 3, the draft will be submitted to West Norfolk council for further consultation, before being sent to an independent examiner to be reviewed.

Villagers will get to vote on the document at a date to be fixed later this year.