Sheringham Recycling Centre decision to be made by council

Norfolk County Council's proposal for the replacement Sheringham Recycling Centre, on fields off Holt Road, near Beeston Regis and East Beckham, is about to be discussed by the authority's own planning committee.

The fields where the new tip would be built (Image: Denise Bradley)

And, despite a number of objections, including from North Norfolk District Council and the Norfolk Coast Partnership, planning officers at County Hall are recommending that councillors grant permission for the new tip.

The district council and the coast partnership say the plans for the new centre, to be built on land opposite the current Sheringham tip, go against policies designed to protect an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The current Sheringham Recycling Centre (Image: Denise Bradley)

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County Hall officers acknowledge the proposals are contrary to policies and would cause "adverse landscape impacts" in the area of outstanding natural beauty.

In their report to councillors, they state that their recommendation for approval is "finely balanced".

But they state the harm caused is "outweighed by the public interest of the development".

Officers said: "The proposal is considered to provide considerable public benefits in terms of providing a modern household waste recycling centre that is fit for purpose for the residents it serves taking account of the projected population growth."

The proposal has also been criticised by the owners of the nearby Hilltop Outdoor Centre, while Norfolk CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) had also objected.

Concerns have also been raised about the new access to the site onto the A148 - with the eastern end of the existing Holt Road due to close - will cause traffic problems.

But council officers, in their report, say that would be an improvement on the current road set-up.

The council's planning committee will make its decision on Friday.