CELIA WIGG A wrangle over flagstones ripped up in a town's conservation area without consent has yet to be resolved, with residents complaining that the site has been left in a dangerous condition.

CELIA WIGG

A wrangle over flagstones ripped up in a town's conservation area without consent has yet to be resolved, with residents complaining that the site has been left in a dangerous condition.

South Norfolk Council issued a stop notice at the beginning of October, preventing Harleston sub-postmaster Howard Farmer completing work to replace the flagstones next to his premises in The Thoroughfare with a tarred surface.

He had been advised by the authority that planning consent was required, and enforcement officers took action after being alerted by concerned residents. A retrospective application is now awaited.

Meanwhile the area, known as Stone Court, has been left in an unfinished state with barriers put up that partly block-off the site.

It means that disabled people can no longer get to a ramp giving access to the adjoining Nationwide Building Society, although other members of the public can still access the site which is used as a thoroughfare giving access to neighbouring shops.

A local trader, who declined to be named, said: “It is just very dangerous now and he has blocked off the disabled access to the Nationwide.”

Harleston district councillor Barry Greenway said: “I have spoken to Mr Farmer briefly and he has agreed to go for planning permission, and is seeking consent to put in a temporary surface. I don't know what the council's view is on that.

“I have also spoken to the nationwide who pay a nominal amount of rent to the post master, and they are of course concerned for their customers.”

He added that if an application were submitted it would be another month before it was likely to be determined.

Mr Farmer has declined to comment on the issue.