Agenda item

Documents attached for information:

-        Hunstanton Prospectus

-        Hunstanton Visitor Survey

The Regeneration Programmes Manager provided those present with a presentation on the Hunstanton Prosperity Coastal Community Team, as attached.  The following points were highlighted:

·        In 2008 the Hunstanton Masterplan was created and set out a vision for Hunstanton.  Since then the Borough Council and Regeneration Project Team had taken this vision forward.

·        In 2015 the Department of Communities and Local Government invited local partnerships to form and prepare a shared vision for coastal towns.  The Council applied for Coastal Community Team status and was awarded £10,000 to develop an economic plan.

·        The Regeneration Project Team formed into the Coastal Community Team and produced the Economic Plan and commissioned the Hunstanton Prospectus, which was an update of the Masterplan.  A visitor survey had been carried out, the results of which were circulated to the Panel in the advance of the meeting.  A summary of results was also included in the Presentation.

·        The Hunstanton Prospectus had been endorsed by Cabinet in early 2017.

·        The Hunstanton Prospectus included priority themes, projects and a masterplan map identifying potential development sites.

·        The presentation outlined the CCT priorities and next steps, which included responding to the findings of the Visitor Survey and working with One Public Estate.

The Chairman thanked the Regeneration Programmes Manager for her presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Panel discussed the amount of visitors to Hunstanton during peak season.  It was explained that the resident population was approximately 4,500 and with the addition of visitors, this could peak to anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000.  The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager informed those present that there were approximately 7.7 million day visitors to West Norfolk each year.

Councillor Fraser referred to retail and felt that the offer in Hunstanton needed to be looked at.  She asked if work was carried out to encourage larger retailers into the Town.  The Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that the resident population of Hunstanton and its seasonality sometimes did not appeal to the larger retailers.  Potential development sites had been identified in the Hunstanton Prospectus and there could be opportunities for retail and leisure expansion on these sites in the future.

Reference was made to the potential to create a Marine Lagoon and the Panel was informed that a bid would be made to the Norfolk Business Rates Pool to carry out a feasibility study. 

Councillor Bird addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  He felt that the retirement and care industry was becoming more prominent in the Town and could increase opportunities for full year jobs in the town, rather than seasonal work.  He also referred to the A149 and how it was often congested.  Councillor Bird referred to the amount of second homes in Hunstanton.  With regard to retail, Councillor Bird commented that without the stock of buildings and units it was difficult to encourage retailers into the town.

Councillor Beal commented that he felt that second homes were a strong industry and provided income for a lot of people.  He also felt that the availability of products on the internet was affecting retailers in Hunstanton.  He commented that the Marine Lagoon would be a great benefit to the Town and would draw in more visitors.  Councillor Beal suggested that hotel sites should also be looked at.

Councillor Parish commented that the redevelopment of the Pier should be considered as this would attract more visitors to the resort.  He also made reference to the traffic on the A149 and suggested that consideration needed to be given to the amount of development which was taking place along the route to the coast as more development would result in more traffic and congestion.

Councillor Kunes commented that a way to extend the season and encourage people to stay longer could be to have an events venue which could accommodate theatre and live music and hold events all year round.

The Regeneration Programmes Manager explained that a study would be carried out to look at development sites on the seafront if Business Rates Pool funding was awarded.

Councillor Kunes referred to the results of the visitor survey and how visitors had mentioned that beach cleanliness was sometimes an issue.  The Executive Director explained that there used to be a beach cleaning machine, but this was ineffective.  He explained that usually the beaches were clean and regular litter picking took place.

Members of the Panel discussed the Railway Line between King’s Lynn and Hunstanton.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.