Bad news, alas. We have learned this morning that the High Court has rejected North Norfolk Planning Watch’s case for judicial review of the decision by North Norfolk District Council to allow demolition of the historic, locally much-loved Blakeney New Rectory.

We’re disappointed that, despite all the effort involved in assembling the case and excellent work on the part of our legal team, the judge did not uphold any of our grounds for judicial review.

We’re even more disappointed that, despite expressions of concern from so many local residents, as well as strong statements of support from groups including SAVE Britain’s Heritage, the Twentieth Century Society and the Rectory Society, there appears to be no way to save a remarkably intact 1920s architect-designed parsonage from demolition. Replacing this gentle old house with an ugly, out-of-scale ‘trophy home’ is the sort of casual historical vandalism that will, doubtless, seem totally inexplicable to our children and grandchildren in years to come.

Given the judge’s ruling, we have been advised that there is no scope for further appeal.

We’re enormously grateful to everyone who has helped with the campaign to save Blakeney New Rectory, whether through raising concerns at the planning stage, contributing to the costs of the judicial review, or simply through offering strong words of friendship and support.

It’s important for all of us to remember that, although we lost this battle, we have nonetheless achieved something important.

Taking this case to court – as with similar pressure from other local residents and organisations involved in contentious planning cases – brings greater scrutiny to the sometimes murky, often undemocratic and unaccountable world of North Norfolk’s planning decisions. As this case demonstrates, it is formidably difficult to overturn planning decisions once they have been made, especially given the limited grounds on which judicial review is possible, and the extremely high costs of pursuing a judicial review action.

This is all the more reason, then, for all of us to remain constantly vigilant regarding our parish councils, district councils and statutory consultative bodies. Are they listening to local people, or instead working for the interests of developers who care nothing for our area’s unique heritage?

At NNPW, we will continue to do all we can to protect what is so special, yet also so fragile and easily lost, about our own distinctive corner of Norfolk.

Yours sincerely

(Dr) Barendina Smedley
Director
North Norfolk Planning Watch