A company which purchased part of Thorpe Island for just £200,000 is owned by two men who originally opposed its development.

Eastern Daily Press: Over looking Thorpe Island from the garden of Christopher Cooper and Jeremy Clarke. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.Over looking Thorpe Island from the garden of Christopher Cooper and Jeremy Clarke. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.

Documents recently published by HM Land Registry have confirmed that Clarke & Cooper Ltd bought Jenner's Basin on March 31 this year.

Both of its directors, Christopher Cooper and Jeremy Clarke, had been vocal critics of activities taking place on the island, situated near Norwich.

In 2015, they spoke to the EDP to say that their peace had been 'violated' by regular noise for the past eight years. At the time, the basin, which is located behind their house on Yarmouth Road, in Thorpe St Andrew, was home to a number of people living aboard boats.

MORE: Council to consider giving Thorpe Island boat owners mooring space along River Green

Roger Wood, who previously owned the site, said he had to sell it earlier this year after running out of money.

The 74-year-old former tug boat captain had spent thousands battling the Broads Authority over historic planning rights for the land.

For a decade, he had argued that he could legally moor boats there.

But the case has been before two planning inspectors and a high court judge, who have all deemed the development unlawful.

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In a email to members following the sale of the basin, the authority's planning committee chair, Peter Dixon wrote: 'Well done to all involved in this saga. Let's hope this really is the start of a fresh chapter.

'[Head of planning] Cally [Smith] - delighted to buy you a large glass of something in the near future.'

Minutes from the authority's planning committee in May state that the basin was still being cleared up.

Days after the sale went through, those living aboard boats were told they had until the end of April to move out.

Mr Wood said he 'wasn't best pleased' that he had to sell the land, adding that it went for less than half of what he bought it for.

He purchased it for £460,000 in 2007,and claimed that it was recently valued at £2m.

'I would like to see that basin used for what it was built for,' he said. 'To give the people of Norwich somewhere to park their boats.'

The EDP and Evening News attempted to contact Mr Cooper and Mr Clarke, but did not receive a response.