Voters in Cromer have said another resounding 'no' to plans for a car park in the town's North Lodge Park.

Eastern Daily Press: The queue to vote outside Merchants' Place, one of the two polling stations for the Cromer Parish Poll. Picture: ALEX HURRELLThe queue to vote outside Merchants' Place, one of the two polling stations for the Cromer Parish Poll. Picture: ALEX HURRELL (Image: Archant)

Almost 79pc of those who took part in today's parish poll in the resort rejected North Norfolk District Council's latest bid to build a 48-space car park on the much-loved attraction.

Out of a possible 6,179 registered electors, 799 turned out to vote on the question 'Do you wish to see any part of North Lodge Park converted into a car park?'

Of those who voted, 628 said 'no', 158 said 'yes' and there were 13 spoilt ballots. The result is not binding on the district council.

The figures were down on the last parish poll seven years ago when 94pc of some 1,200 people who voted rejected an earlier district council plan for a car park on the site; a proposal which was later shelved.

But leading opponents Chris Boddy and John Edwards said they were pleased at the outcome.

'We knew we wouldn't get 94pc again because the deliberate policy by the district council to run down the park since the last parish poll has convinced some people that anything would be better than what we are left with,' said Mr Boddy.

Mr Edwards added: 'It's an extremely positive result and a fair indication of the feeling of the population of Cromer about this. I challenge the district council to take notice.'

A public meeting in the town last month voted to hold the parish poll. Cromer Town Council will bear its £1,756,84 cost.