The entrance to North Lodge Park Cromer off the Overstrand Road

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has revived controversial plans to create a car park within North Lodge Park in Cromer, marking a return to a proposal that previously faced overwhelming public opposition. The council launched a public consultation in January 2025 seeking views on the future of the site in the popular seaside park, with their preferred option being the establishment of a small pay-and-display car park.

 The Proposal

The proposed car park would be situated within the existing surfaced area of the former tennis courts and Kiddies Corner section of North Lodge Park, which has not been maintained for over 20 years. Tim Adams, Leader of North Norfolk District Council, outlined three potential options for the site: community use, commercial development, or the car park proposal. The council’s preferred approach involves creating a small public pay-and-display facility within the already-surfaced area, which they argue would support the continued regeneration and rejuvenation of the park.

According to the council, this represents a pragmatic solution to address the site’s long-standing neglect by the council while providing practical benefits to visitors. The proposal comes after various community and commercial proposals for the site failed to materialise over the years, leaving the area unused and deteriorating.

 Previous Opposition

The current proposal revisits a deeply contentious issue that divided the community in 2016. When similar plans were first proposed eight years ago, they faced fierce resistance from local residents and park users. A public vote held in 2016 demonstrated the scale of opposition, with 799 people participating in the consultation. The results were decisive: 79% of voters (628 people) opposed the car park plans, while only 21% supported them.

The strength of public opposition in 2016 was so significant that the council eventually withdrew the proposals. The plans were ultimately abandoned not only due to public resistance but also because they were found to breach the council’s own policy designed to protect green spaces and parkland from development.

Current Local Objections

Despite the passage of time, local opposition to the car park proposal remains strong. Critics argue that converting any part of North Lodge Park into a car park would fundamentally alter the character of this cherished public space. Many residents view the park as a vital green lung in the heart of Cromer, providing recreational space for families, dog walkers, and tourists.

Local objections centre on several key concerns. Environmental campaigners worry about the impact on the park’s ecosystem and the precedent it would set for future development of public green spaces. Community groups argue that the council should prioritise restoration of the area for recreational use rather than commercial parking provision.

Heritage concerns have also been raised, with some residents pointing to the historical significance of the park and its role in Cromer’s tourism heritage. The area was once home to tennis courts that featured in local carnival celebrations, and many feel that its conversion to a car park would represent a loss of the town’s social history.

The site is immediately to the right of the main entrance to the park off Overstrand Road. This is used by pedestrians for access and a few vehicles each day that visit the Cromer Town Council office and to deliver to the park’s café. If the car park goes ahead the traffic flow will obviously increase substantially unless a separate entrance is created for vehicles. Creating another vehicular access onto Overstrand Road could be problematic planning wise.

The proposed site of the new pay and display car park in North Lodge Park Cromer  

In 2024 NNDC made over two million pounds from car park fees. The biggest earner was the 265-space Cromer Meadow, which brought in £395,543. Is there a case for spending taxpayers’ money on creating another car park that will be small and, in comparison, result in little revenue being collected.

And, will that revenue be used to maintain and improve North Lodge Park or simply disappear into the council’s coffers?

The Council’s Reasoning

Council leader Tim Adams has defended the proposal by emphasising the limited alternatives available. He notes that previous attempts to secure community use for the site have repeatedly failed, and that modern community groups lack the scale and resources of their predecessors. Commercial proposals have similarly stalled due to planning constraints and limited investor confidence.

The council argues that “doing nothing is not an option” and that the derelict state of the site after two decades represents a waste of valuable public space. They contend that a car park would at least bring the area back into productive use while generating revenue that could support other park improvements.

Future Developments

The consultation period, which ran until February 7th, 2025, represented a crucial stage in determining the site’s future. The council has indicated it is committed to moving forward with some form of development, making it clear that maintaining the status quo is not acceptable.

The outcome of this consultation will likely determine whether North Norfolk District Council proceeds with the car park proposal or explores alternative options. Given the historical opposition and continued local concerns, the council faces a challenging balance between practical necessity and community sentiment as they work to decide the future of the park.