18 APRIL 2025
QUEEN ELIZABETH II PLAYING FIELD - ZIP LINE MAINTENANCE
The Parish Council undertook some necessary maintenance work on the park zip wire today,
replacing both the dropper chain and seat assembly, as well as fitting a new damper brake
spring.
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The new seat unit replaces the one that had been vandalised and had a temporary repair
over the winter.
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A queue had formed to test the new parts as we finished and the general consensus was that
the new seat is a lot less slippery and the bounce from the line spring is much more fun.
Huge thanks to Craig Harriss of Wayland Painting Services for his assistance and use of a
cherry picker to safely complete the work.
Our inspection regime has recently increased to weekly, and we have picked up that the
surround to the climbing frame base material now needs attention. and will be actioned ASAP.
Next job on our planned maintenance schedule is the Congo Jungle Walk being installed
during the one day park closure on Thursday 1 May.
So, finally, the appeal process around the Coughtrey estate has
concluded. Originally set for the aborted date in February,
when it was rescheduled to 8 April in a larger venue, it was
so strongly opposed that the Inspector had to take both allotted
days.
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We appreciate that it may have been frustrating to hear many
of our complaints not aired, but that is because the planning
appeal process has a very narrow focus; only the actual refusal
decision and the reasoning behind it is debated.
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This means that many of the issues some of you expected to hear raised were precluded.
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The current unlawful use of the site being undertaken on the site already, with the smell, noise and traffic nuisances falls under Statutory Nuisance, not the planning appeal. It’s not even taken into account as an indicator of how bad it will eventually be, because that is rightly taken to be speculation. The safety issue around the potential for the factory fire in Attleborough to occur in Griston was simply outside the appeal scope and so didn’t feature.
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We did manage to eventually discern from Eastern Attachments that the most important factor in their choice of Griston was the cost of installing a power supply; Snetterton or Attleborough would have cost more to have a new substation built, while Griston already had one.
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Eventually, after being asked multiple times by the Planning Inspector, Breckland’s Case Officer conceded there was no current B2 use in place, but this concession was only made because the Secretary of State had stated there wasn’t, so they had to accept that decision.
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Similarly, Breckland conceded that the application breached their own policy EC04 (Employment Development Outside General Employment Areas). This was vigorously pursued by the Inspector on both days, and these two points could be major factors in the Inspector’s final decision.
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Overall, the Inspector gave us, as a third party to this appeal, a very fair opportunity to provide the additional necessary evidence to make her judgement.
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It's important to remember that the appeal itself was between Eastern Attachments and Breckland – the applicant and the Authority that refused the application - with Griston residents only a third party on the sidelines.
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Collectively, the village gave it our best shot but it felt at times like we were playing the part of Zelenskyy to EA's Putin and Breckland's Trump; the actual effects will only be felt by us, but we weren't really taking a full part in the conversation!
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In the end, we got as good and fair a hearing as we could have hoped for. The Inspector pressured both Breckland’s team and Eastern Attachments for facts and details - most of which still seemed quite vague. The acoustic consultant especially for Eastern Attachments wasn’t in the least certain or convincing.
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The fact it ran to two days shows just how complex the appeal was and how strong were the objections, something the Inspector acknowledged as she closed the proceedings. Less than 1% of appeals of this type need more than half a day, indicating how exceptional was our response to Eastern Attachments.
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​The Inspector concluded with a tour of the Coughtrey site facilities and of three properties surrounding the site, all accompanied by Eastern Attachments and their retinue, and representatives of Breckland, the Parish Council and the Griston Community Group.
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The Inspector will now consider, and make her written decision over the next 12 weeks; it’s quite normal for a decision to be issued at around eight weeks.
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Both the Parish Council and the Griston Community Group would like to thank everyone for your support given over the last three years, as well as for turning up in such numbers at the various Committee meetings and Appeal Hearings to show the strength of feeling.
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Our next challenge is how to deal with either a positive or negative outcome; the Parish Council and Griston Community Group will meet with Breckland to discuss the practicalities of the site moving forward once the decision is issued.
10 APRIL 2025
COUGHTREY PLANNING APPEAL
08 APRIL 2025
ADVANCE NOTICE OF ONE-DAY PARK CLOSURE
In order to renew pat of the park equipment, the play area will be closed on Thursday 1 May.
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We're sorry to have to do this, but we have to put safety first. We are expecting our contractor to need a mini-digger on site, so there's an obvious incompatibility with allowing children to play on the adjacent equipment.
The open grass area, picnic tables, bench seat and all gates will remain in use for walkers and dogs.
25 MARCH 2025
GRISTON BIN COLLECTION CALENDAR 2025-26
Apologies for the quality, but we had to scan Breckland's coloured print from the back of their magazine.
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You can download the calendar at www.breckland.gov.uk/rubbish
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Feel free to use this as your aide-memoire for bin days; checking what your neighbours have put out is fine until they're away on holiday or its a Bank Holiday weekend!
24 MARCH 2025
PARISH CLERK VACANCY
We are looking for a new Parish Clerk for the village, starting in May 2025.
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An outline of the role is in the advert on the right, but a detailed job description is available from the current Clerk by emailing gristonclerk@gmail.com
If you'd like to know more, you can come along to a council meeting to see what's required - dates are posted under the 'The Council' tab above.
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We offer formal training for the job if needed.
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It's a great opportunity for someone interested in serving the parish while also being the only paid officer!
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Click here for a fully detailed job description.
27 FEBRUARY 2025
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
After a variable winter, spring is finally coming and the Parish Council has been out and about cleaning the various road signs around the village. Hopefully some of you notice the difference 'before and after'! While we concentrate on our 'own' signs, we also tidy up any of Norfolk Highways ones that need some TLC.
It's something we need to do every two years to keep our signage clean and clear, and it also allows us to identify any damage and get it listed on the highways system at Norfolk County Council for repair or replacement. If we don't report it, it might not get notified, so it's in the village's best interests to fill the forms out.
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Keeping the signs clean might only be a small thing, but it gives a good impression of Griston and promotes it as a great place to live, work and play.
25 FEBRUARY 2025
NEW DOG BIN INSTALLED
To keep up with demand - over 90% of our park users in the winter are dog walkers - the Parish Council has finally installed a dog bin at the junction of Carbrooke Road and the Old School entrance.
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We say 'finally' because it's been three years in the planning, but now it's in place. We've added extra high visibility stripes to it as it's on a corner of the verge (which is Norfolk County Council land) and so could be vulnerable to errant traffic until drivers get used to it being there.
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Having agreed the location with both Norfolk County County and Breckland, we just need to notify Breckland to add it to their collection schedule.
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Feel free to use it as you enter or leave by the Carbrooke Road gate.
18 FEBRUARY 2025
NEW DATE FOR THE COUGHTREY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE PLANNING APPEAL HEARING
Most residents involved or interested in the Coughtrey Planning Appeal will have now received notification letters of the revised date and venue from Breckland District Council.
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The Planning Inspector remains as Louise Nurser, BA Hons Dip UP MRTPI.
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The new date is 8 April 2025, and the venue is now the Anglia Room at Breckland Council's offices in Dereham.
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The appeal is set to last for one day, starting at 10:00.
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Please note that attendees must register their intent to be present again; having been at the last [aborted] hearing doesn't give you a place at the revised one.
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MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER TO ATTEND BY 17:00 ON 15 MARCH 2025 IF YOU WANT TO BE THERE!​​
11 FEBRUARY 2025
UPDATE ON THE COUGHTREY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE PLANNING APPEAL
Apologies for the light-heated tone of this post, but it's hard to write a serious report given the circumstances....
The long awaited Planning Appeal for Eastern Attachments’ B2 heavy industrial application rapidly descended into farce today as the Planning Inspector adjourned the hearing immediately after opening it. The Planning Inspector seemed logical, focussed and objective, to the extent that she soon realised the hearing couldn't proceed.
The reason was simple - Breckland District Council had booked a room that was even described to the meeting by a member of their own team as ‘sub optimal’ (or as it really was, totally unsuitable). The Planning Inspector eventually adjourned the meeting on the grounds that it wasn't a safe environment to proceed.
Despite being formally requested by the Planning Inspector, Breckland failed to arrange microphones or audio equipment to ensure everyone could hear what was being said. The offered answer was to wheel in a portable karaoke machine with a single wired microphone, which the Inspector dismissed instantly.
Despite previous meetings on this application crowding out the much larger council chamber in Dereham, the Watton room was so small that attendees were having to be seated on chairs outside the room and craning to hear through the open door.
Then a member of the public arrived in a wheelchair and the full shortcomings of the venue were seen in all their glory.
Despite the EA Barrister making repeated attempts to force a hearing on the day (the Inspector eventually verbally slapped him down on his third attempt when he tried to say the hearing could easily be held over Zoom or the public could simply be excluded), she stuck to her guns and the hearing was adjourned.
There are several key outcomes here;
1. It’s acutely embarrassing for Breckland to have an Appeal Hearing adjourned by the Planning Inspector through their own ineptitude;
2. The venue hire fee - from public funds - was wasted (although some of resident attendees did eat the biscuits afterwards);
3. It’s entirely probable that EA will apply for their barrister and consultant’s costs, which will be difficult for Breckland to refuse - another waste of our council tax money;
4. The revised hearing date is now essentially at the mercy of the Planning Inspector, who expected to conclude today. As the Planning Inspectorate's workloads are laid out around six months in advance - this one was five months - it may be that her next available slot may not be until the summer.
We still hope for a swift resolution as the blight on the village caused by this matter is draining for everyone, but the ineffectiveness and failings of Breckland’s Planning team have never been more clearly demonstrated.
Someone mentioned a brewery…
10 JANUARY 2025
TRENCHING WORKS IN STAN'S WALK
The excavations along Stan’s Walk are
being undertaken by a contractor called
Compass on behalf of UK Power Networks.
The work is to install two 11,000V circuits
between Watton and Griston to reinforce
the power supply to HMP Wayland for the
new cell and kitchen blocks.
Two teams are working on it, one coming
from the Griston end and the other from
Watton.
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The trench will run along the length of
Stan’s Walk on one side; as Griston Parish
Council our interest is in only our end, but
it’s possible that some of capacity no longer
used by the airfield is still available from
the ‘Old Griston Road’ sub station just past
the gate.
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The work is scheduled on the permit to last
until 14 February; the teams are set a
target of 100m a week. The trench is
backfilled using largely the material that is
dug out.
The area through the mature trees at the Griston end will be hand dug to protect the roots. Exposed roots are covered with wet sacking to protect them. The contractor will return on the spring to seed the entire trench with grass seed; there's no sense in seeding while it's cold and won't germinate.
This ​work is just reinforcement of the network to make sure the prison continues to have sufficient power; it’s not for any phantom new housing estate or other frightening development. Wates and the MoJ expect to submit their planning application for the building work in the coming weeks.
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The Norfolk County Council street works permit is searchable online using the interactive map at https://one.network/uk/Norfolk (see extract above).
If you want to know what’s happening, we recommend you stop and speak to the guys doing the work. A friendly enquiry will be met with a explanation as they’re happy to talk about their work and keep the public informed.
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We understand cake is well received too!
26 NOVEMBER 2024
FURTHER PLANNING APPEAL UPDATE - REVERT TO FULL HEARING
Following representations from the Parish Council, Thorp House,
the Griston Community Group and - we hope - the Fire and
Prison Services - the Planning Inspector has taken on board
the high level of concern expressed over the Coughtrey appeal
and has reverted to the earlier decision to hold a full hearing.
This means she has declined Eastern Attachments' request to
reduce the appeal to 'behind closed doors written
representations' and agreed to the multiple requests that the
full hearing is reinstated for the Coughtrey proposal.
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She has taken particular notice of the Griston Community
Group's representation in reaching this decision.
​While we are heartened by this change of heart, we are
increasingly aware that the only people who will defend the
residents of Griston are the residents themselves, and certainly
not Breckland's Planning Department, who seemed determined to grant permission in the face of an enormous level of local opposition.
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To those of you wrote to the Planning Inspector - well done and thank you.​
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The date, time and venue remain as before - ​11 February next year, at Breckland's offices in Walpole Loke, Dereham (behind Tesco) and anyone wishing to attend is required to register by 15 January.
You can register by emailing planningappeals@breckland.gov.uk or calling 01362 656909.
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We will keep you all updated as news develops - it's pretty frequent at the moment.
18 NOVEMBER 2024
PLANNING APPEAL UPDATE
The Planning Inspector has now responded to our request that the full hearing is reinstated for the Coughtrey proposal.
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Unfortunately, the hearing is still downgraded to Written Representations, but we have been assured that all of the submissions made in expectation of a hearing are being taken into account.
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The actual wording from the Planning Inspectorate is "
I do acknowledge your concerns. I can assure you that all written representation already submitted will be given full consideration, and that the hearing has been cancelled because the Inspector has all the information they require before them."
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We will keep you all updated as news emerges.
17 NOVEMBER 2024
VACANCIES
PARISH CLERK/RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER
PARISH COUNCILLOR
Our current Clerk is leaving after six full years of service at the end of December.
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We are therefore in need of a new Parish Clerk and have convened a Recruitment Committee to find a replacement.
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This is a part-time, paid role requiring good administrative and financial skills.
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A full job description is posted here
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If you would like to be considered - or find out more about the role - there's huge amount of information available online, with a very good outline of the role at What is a Parish Clerk? - Parish News Online
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We shall be advertising on the Norfolk Parishes Training Services (NPTS) website as well as in The Waylander and the Griston Community Facebook page.
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Please contact the Clerk in the first instance.
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We also now have a COUNCILLOR VACANCY following a resignation.
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Do you care about the future of Griston?
Do you want to help make a long-lasting change?
Could you have innovative ideas for the council?
Do you have concerns about a specific issue and want to do something about it?
If this is you, then we need you.
We need people from all backgrounds and experiences who reflect our community to put themselves forward.
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You need to be at least 18, lived or worked within a three mile radius of the village for the last twelve months and be on the electoral roll, be a qualifying UK, EU or Commonwealth citizen. There's a very detailed (and long) description of a Parish Councillor at Roles-and-responsibiities-of-a-Parish-Councillor.pdf
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Please contact the Clerk in the first instance.
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15 NOVEMBER 2024
COUGHTREY ESTATE PLANNING APPLICATION/APPEAL UPDATE - CHANGE OF APPEAL
3PL/2022/0368/F / APPEAL 2058 - APP/F2605/W/24/3351737
The Planning Inspector has indicated she has accepted a request from Eastern Attachments to downgrade the appeal from a full Part 2 Hearing to a Part 1 - Written Submission format.
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Technically, the Planning Appeal Guidance doesn't allow this for a Change of Use Application - something Brdeckland seem determined to overlook - but both the Parish Council and the Griston Community Group have requested the Planning Inspector revisit the decision.
It appears that having seen the submissions against them in the Appeal, the Appellant decided not allow himself to be subject to detailed questioning in an open hearing and opted to ask for a lesser method of scrutiny.
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Breckland's acquiescence has aided this, as instead of taking into account all the policy breaches, it finds itself only able to stand by the one it quoted in the Refusal, as they relied on the previous Secretary of State's direction for a full Environmental Impact Assessment as their principal reason. Once Angela Rayner's department decided to withdraw that, Breckland looks to have caved in.
We will update further as things continue, but bizarrely, Breckland itself is now indicating it will propose operating hours for the site of 06:00-18:00. far longer than the Applicant ever put in for!
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5 NOVEMBER 2024
COUGHTREY ESTATE PLANNING APPLICATION/APPEAL UPDATE - PARISH COUNCIL SUBMISSION
3PL/2022/0368/F / APPEAL 2058 - APP/F2605/W/24/3351737
Griston Parish Council has made a detailed 14 page submission to the Planning Inspectorate concerning this application and subsequent appeal.
We have always believed this is the wrong application in the wrong place, and while welcoming small businesses and employers to the village, a large scale industrial operation with attendance noise, traffic and odour issues is simply not suitable....and that's before we consider the devastating fire that destroyed their previous premises in Attleborough in August. Importing that level of disruption, risk and nuisance to a small Brecks village is simply inappropriate.
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The appeal date is set for 11 February next year, and anyone wishing to attend is required to register by 15 January. You can register by emailing planningappeals@breckland.gov.uk or calling 01362 656909.
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Our representation to the Planning Inspector can be viewed here (without the Appendices)
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26 SEPTEMBER 2024
MANOR ROAD NOTICE BOARD REINSTALLED
After a full strip down and refurbishment, the Parish Council notice board at Manor Road has been reinstalled. This board was in danger of toppling over, as the legs had rotted away at ground level.
Refurbishing the village noticeboards is just one of the actions on the council's two-year plan to improve the village and make it a better place to live, work, visit and play.
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The frame has been sanded back to bare wood, repainted with barn paint, new mounting posts installed, reglazed with new perspex and the old pin board replaced with a white magnetic board.
All the work was carried out by Councillors, including the reinstatement. Once the new board is fully set in place, the back and legs will be painted to match.
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During the refurbishment, the lock was removed for lubrication with graphite powder, showing a government stamp that it was originally manufactured by the RAF back to post notices about night flying in the days before the internet in 1986 - a full 38 years ago!
25 SEPTEMBER 2024
COUGHTREY ESTATE PLANNING APPLICATION UPDATE - STATUTORY NUISANCE COMPLAINTS
3PL/2022/0368/F & APPEAL 2058
Following the fire at Eastern Attachments' site in Attleborough on 24 August, the company began moving materials, plant and operations to Griston, despite the planning application being refused and awaiting appeal.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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The BBC news report on the fire is at this link Factory fire causes rail disruption in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk - BBC News
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It is now clear that the move is realising our fears about noise, odour and traffic. Multiple HGV movements - with some overnight parking in Church Road - a strong smell of spray paint and loud metallic clanging noises are just some of the nuisance factors already complained about.
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As this move is not part of the planning permission, and that itself is awaiting an appeal, any complaints should be addressed by contacting Breckland District Council's Environmental Team and registering the complaint as a statutory nuisance.
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Breckland has already carried out inspection visits and advised Eastern Attachments of their concerns and what will be required if their appeal is unsuccessful. However, it is normal practice not to enforce action until the appeal is heard.
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That doesn't stop statutory nuisance complaints from being filed and actioned in the meantime.
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John Heath of the Griston Community Group has started this ball rolling and communicated as follows:
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'An important reminder note to all regarding the Coughtrey Trading Estate and Eastern Attachments planning application 3PL/2022/0368/F -
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Noise and/or Odour Nuisance and Traffic issues
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Breckland have raised a Case Number 277312 for us to refer noise, odour and traffic issues.
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Please send in your objections and complaints regarding noise, odour and traffic nuisance activities that you perceive directly to environmental health, email to -
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Chris.Cornish@breckland.gov.uk ,who is the environmental health case officer.
As well as regular clearly audible daily noise from their work with the metal products, we are now getting paint smells from the painting operation being carried out on the site.
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Please be active in sending in any pictures or complaints whenever the nuisances occur to you.
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They will be considered as part of an ongoing review and the future planning appeal.'
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This is only a taster of the nuisance that will afflict Griston if the company relocates here, so please make sure your voices are heard!
24 SEPTEMBER 2024
OCTOBER HALF TERM - KIDS EAT FREE (OR FOR £1)
With next week's half term almost upon us, we're pleased to share the attached list of places where kids can eat either free or for £1 during the holiday week.
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This includes several places with local venues, including
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Morrisons (Dereham),
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Sainsbury's Café (King's Lynn),
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multiple chain restaurants with Norwich branches,
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Beefeater (Yarmouth)
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Brewer's Fayre (Norwich & King's Lynn).
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Hungry Horse (Norwich & Fakenham)​
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They're the ones we found easily - there may be others we missed.
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As someone once said....'every little helps!'
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23 SEPTEMBER 2024
COUGHTREY ESTATE PLANNING APPLICATION UPDATE - APPEAL LODGED
3PL/2022/0368/F & APPEAL 2058
This application, which was REFUSED by Breckland District Council in March 2024, has now been appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and has been allocated Appeal no. 2058.
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The Applicant has requested the appeal is dealt with by way of a hearing, meaning in-person representations to the Planning Inspector. Anyone can attend the hearing, and thus far both the Parish Council and the Griston Community Group are indicating that they will both attend and take part in the appeal discussions. We are hopeful that our District Ward and County Councillors will also attend to speak. If you'd like to attend or take part individually, apply to the Inspector as laid out in the letter below.
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The hearing is set for Tuesday 11 February 2025, starting at 10:00 in Breckland District Council's offices at Elizabeth House in Dereham. The closing date for written representations is Wednesday 6 November 2024.
While your Parish Council realises many of you may wish to make representations to the Planning Inspector, all previous complaints and objections will already form part of the evidence the Inspector will review in the period between 6 November and 11 February.
The Inspector should only receive new evidence or complaints that have arisen since the refusal in March 2024 - such as the fire in Attleborough (and the risks it brings - and the move to Griston prompted by the fire, but without having planning permission in place. This would include any new complaints around the actual operations - noise, odour, traffic, etc. That is dealt with in another post.
There is no need to repeat your original correspondence to Breckland - that's locked into the Planning Inspector's evidence pack already.
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The appeal follows the decision by the new Government's Secretary Of State - Angela Rayner - to remove the need for a full Environmental Impact Assessment - an avenue that hasn't been seen before. This doesn't remove the issues, but it does mean they may be addressed in a less strict method of assessment.
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​We will update any news on this appeal as it becomes available.
23 AUGUST 2024
COUGHTREY ESTATE PLANNING APPLICATION UPDATE
3SR/2024/0005/SCR
This application has been withdrawn due to it being 'invalid', just a week before the decision date.
It is unclear if it was withdrawn voluntarily by the Applicant, or if he was advised by Breckland District Council that they were unable to service the application. We are not aware of why it took Breckland and/or the Applicant two weeks to declare that the application was invalid, but it may be that this was pointed out in an objection.
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No reasons are given, but it is likely that a request for a screening opinion does not fall within the jurisdiction of Breckland's planners, having been directed by the Secretary of State to be a full Environmental Impact Assessment.​​​​​​
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We continue to monitor this potentially damaging development and will update any news as it becomes available.
13 AUGUST 2024
COUGHTREY ESTATE PLANNING APPLICATION UPDATE
3SR/2024/0005/SCR
The Griston Community Group has issued an update on the Eastern Attachments planning application 3PL/2022/0368/F which was Refused on 13th March 2024.
On 7 August 2024 Eastern Attachments submitted to Breckland Council a request for a Screening Opinion (allocated application number 3SR/2024/0005/SCR), backed by four additional documents -
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Noise Assessment Revision D, 18 April 2024
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Air Quality Assessment, August 2023
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Operational Dust Assessment, March 2024
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Odour Assessment, April 2024
This submission was posted on 8 August 2024 on the planning portal reference 3SR/2024/0005/SCR for viewing.
Once Breckland have given their Screening Opinion regarding the submissions and the outstanding requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA requested by the Secretary of State) we will provide you with a further update.
The Screening Opinion from Breckland Council is anticipated to be issued within the next three weeks.
We have informed our District and County Councillors, as well as our MP, George Freeman, who have all previously opposed the scheme. We anticipate their continued support.
12 AUGUST 2024
PARISH COUNCIL OWL BOX ERECTED AT THORP HOUSE
Earlier this year, the parish council was gifted an owl box by the kind folk at Wayland Men's Shed.
We were keen to make sure that it was installed in the best location to attract new residents in the form of our local barn and tawny owls, but struggled to find a suitable location.
This meant that while the council itself had no ideal locations, our friends at Thorp House - who already are home to the village's peacocks - offered to site it in one their mature trees at the back of their grounds. This location was high enough (3-5m) and faced east, meaning it would catch the morning sun and warm up quickly.
It also - after trimming of some branches - had an unobscured view across open land, giving passing owls every chance to spot it.
With cherry picker assistance from Craig Harriss of Wayland Painting Services, councillors were able to prune back the loose foliage and hoist the box into position, held by a 2t lifting strap to minimise fixings into the tree.
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We will need to wait a year or so to see it it attracts residents, but it's great addition to the environmental credentials of the village. We know of two other nesting pairs in the Church Road area, so we're hopeful we won't have to wait twitt-twoo long!
31 JULY 2024
COUGHTREY ESTATE PLANNING APPLICATION UPDATE
3PL/2023/1054/VAR & 3PL/2023/1055/VAR
The subsidiary applications to the main change of use proposal for the removal of planning condition 4 from 3PL/2003/1092/F and planning condition 3 on 3PL/2003/1585/F have both been refused this week by Breckland Council's planning department.
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According to the Refusal Notice (see right), this was primarily due to the Applicant still not undertaking or submitting a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the site, which shares a boundary with several residential properties.
An EIA was specifically required by the Secretary of State in his response to Griston Community Group's legal challenge.
He concluded that "...the potential for contamination, noise, noxious emission to the air, and odour effects on the nearby residential and sensitive receptors are sufficient to indicate to the Secretary of State that the proposed development is likely to have significant effects."
These planning conditions were specifically inserted to protect residents from nuisance and inconvenience when a much lower impact business occupied the site.
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It is difficult to see how a properly constructed EIA addressing the proposed operations, change of use and variations to conditions would conclude that the application wouldn't pose a significant nuisance to the surrounding properties - and indeed, the entire village.
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The applications received dozens of objections from residents of Griston and Caston, in addition to written support from our MP, George Freeman.
20 JULY 2024
REFURBISHING THE VILLAGE NOTICEBOARDS
Councillors voted in May to refurbish the three noticeboards located at Manor Road, the churchyard and the bus stop. All three are in need of varying levels of attention.
The most urgent of these is the Manor Road one, where the legs had rotted and it was unstable; several local people had noted it was 'on the huh'.
This has now been dismantled, with the old legs disposed of and the main body of the board taken away to be retrimmed and refinished. New 4" posts should give it at least another 10 years of service.
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It should be completely finished and reinstalled within a month. The work is being done by councillors and volunteers to keep costs reasonable.
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We sought a quotation for the complete refurbishment of the churchyard noticeboard by the original manufacturer, whose workshop is still in business. This ended up being prohibitive, so we are looking at partial options that the council and parishioner can carry out themselves.
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If you spot a noticeboard is missing and would like to report it stolen, please post a note on the board....
20 JULY 2024
INCREASING SECURITY AT QUEEN ELIZABETH II PLAYING FIELD
Councillors have recently reduced the potential for unauthorised access to the playing field by vehicles by installing a 6" security post at the rear entrance off Carbrooke Road.
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Before this post was fitted, the gap was 2.4m - wide enough for cars and vans to enter.
This is a temporary measure pending agreement with NCC Highways to completely renew the Carbrooke Road gate arrangements in the 2025-26 financial year.
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And before anyone comments - the new post is the only thing in the photographs that is truly vertical!
22 JUNE 2024
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT: RENEWAL OPTIONS
Some of you will have seen the recent damage report on Facebook about a piece of our playground equipment, which has now been removed for safety reasons.
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This was caused mainly by age-related deterioration of the timber, but its removal or replacement marks the start of a planned programme of playground works, and options will be discussed at the Parish Council meeting on Thursday 27 June.
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If you have a particular view you would like taken into account or a proposal you wish to make - or you'd just like to hear the options we are looking at - please feel free to come along and contribute.
31 MAY 2024
ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO GRISTON PARISH COUNCIL
At the May meeting of Griston Parish Council on 30 May 2024, the council elected a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
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Shane Barber takes over from Keith Mace as Chairman, with Lee Steventon becoming Vice-Chairman, a post left open after a previous resignation for personal reasons some months ago.
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Jean Williams remains the Clerk to the Parish Council and the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO).
25 MAY 2024
REPLACEMENT SLIDE STEP FITTED AT THE QE2 PLAYING FIELD
The bottom step of the slide recently broke in half, leaving exposed screws and a trip hazard for users.
The parish council quickly made the step safe on the same day and the next day installed a new replacement.
The exceptional rainfall through the winter and spring has eroded some of the supporting soil from around the concrete of the steps above and while these remain stable and safe at the moment, they will be entered onto the schedule of planned replacement and maintenance works for the park over the next couple of years.
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If you spot anything that needs attention in the park or around the village - whether it's safety related or not - please notify the Clerk as soon as possible so the parish council can take apropriate action.
20 APRIL 2024
GRISTON COMMUNITY GROUP UPDATE ON COUGHTREY HEAVY INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
The Griston Community Group (GCG) - who funded and organised the successful legal challenge to the original Coughtrey planning application after Breckland's initial recommendation to approve it in early 2023 - has provided an update following some recent discussions with Breckland's planners.
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"We just wanted to keep you updated on the latest position regarding Eastern Attachments and the Coughtrey Trading Estate.
Since the refusal of the main planning application 3PL/2022/0368/F we understand that Eastern Attachments will be appealing to the Secretary of State regarding the two associated planning applications (3PL/2023/1054 & 1055/VAR) for changes to the Conditions of Use.
They are appealing regarding Breckland planning decision that these two associated applications require Eastern Attachments to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
We are not aware of any current appeal regarding the refusal of the main planning application for the heavy industry complex."
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The two appeals are against the 'variation of conditions' being subject to the same standard of scrutiny as the main application - which Breckland notes thus far hasn't been appealed. The conditions were put in place for use of the site by Paragon Printing, and cover such things as the length of working hours to protect their neighbours' right to peace and quiet and not being inconvenienced by early starts and late finishes.
The current Applicant made several attempts over the life of the application to extend the working hours of the site which have been resisted by objections to Breckland's planning committee by both GCG and the Parish Council, in addition to dozens of villagers.
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The actual appeals are against any changes being subject to a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which would require a detailed analysis of noise, vibration, odour and air pollution and how this could affect nearby properties. It follows that the Applicant's desire not to conduct this indicates that they may not believe the outcome would support their claims of it having little or no impact.
The Applicant's failure to undertake an EIA for the main application when directed to so by the Secretary Of State (which included the change of use to B2 heavy industry) was a major part of Breckland's decision to refuse the application - in fact without it being done, they were prevented from approving it.
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3 APRIL 2024
NEW SWING CRADLES FITTED AT THE QE2 PLAYING FIELD
The cradle swings for younger children in the play area
have been swapped for brand new ones as part of the
parish council's ongoing maintenance programme for
the park. The pictures on the right show the before and
after of the fitting.
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The old ones had deteriorated over the last couple of
years - having had good use as one of the most popular
pieces of equipment - and the new, colourful additions
are a welcome and cheerful upgrade. The new cradles are
highly durable and were fitted by parish councillors to keep
the cost down.
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The play park equipment is the parish council's most
expensive asset and very well used by both residents
and visitors. If you spot anything amiss, please let the
the Clerk to the council know as soon as possible so we
can take appropriate action and keep the park safe and
enjoyable for all.
22 MARCH 2024
MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE RETURNS TO GRISTON
After some very productive negotiations between the
Parish Council and Norfolk County Council Mobile
Library Service, we are pleased to announce that
the mobile library service is returning to Griston!
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The village has been added to Route CEN 415, with
the new stop being at the Thorp House car park at
12:30 for around 30 minutes, starting on Thursday
28 March 2024.
This news is so new, it's not yet reflected on NCC's
published route timetable.
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The dates for the rest of 2024 are
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• Thursday 28 March
• Thursday 25 April
• Thursday 23 May
• Thursday 20 June
• Thursday 18 July
• Thursday 15 August
• Thursday 12 September
• Thursday 10 October
• Thursday 07 November
• Thursday 05 December
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Please note this information is subject to change or amendment both on a permanent and temporary basis.
For all enquiries about this route please call 01603 222303.
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Thorp House will welcome all villagers to the mobile library - to take out new library card memberships, borrow, return or order books (or any of the other extensive materials available from NCC's excellent library service). This includes their Mobile Library Book Club (Mobile libraries book club - Norfolk County Council).
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This really is a case of 'use it or lose it', so we urge anyone that uses the library service - or would like to try it - to make use of the mobile visits. It's just like having our own village library, but without the need to trek into Watton.
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12 MARCH 2024
COUGHTREY TRADING ESTATE PLANNING APPLICATION REFUSED BY BRECKLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL
Following fourteen months of limbo and blight on the village, the planning application for the Coughtrey Trading Estate to be converted to a single-user B2 industrial use was REFUSED at the Breckland District Council Planning Committee meeting on 12 March 24. There was a fine turnout at the meeting of around twenty Griston residents.
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Councillor Shane Barber spoke for the Parish Council and John Heath for the Griston Community Group, followed by further objections from our Norfolk County Councillor Claire Bowes and our Breckland Ward Councillor Phil Cowen. George Freeman MP’s robust public intervention - as seen on this site below - was noted several times.
The EDP reported on the meeting, highlighting that Phil Cowen had described himself as 'Gobsmacked' that the application had returned to committee, but omitting John Heath's assertion that it was 'Bonkers'.
That report is here: Coughtrey Trading Estate in Griston plans blocked by council | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk)
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Breckland streamed the Planning Committee meeting on YouTube: Planning Committee: 12 March 2024 (youtube.com).
This application is the very first on the agenda, and our contributions start at 24:04.
The background to the change of decision to a refusal is that after the judicial review led by the Griston Community Group, the Secretary of State (SoS) agreed with the Griston residents and directed that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was to be undertaken before the application could be considered. The Applicant offered no evidence or information to support an EIA, and thus Breckland had no option available to approve the application. The work done by the Griston Community Group also highlighted other Breckland District Council policies that were breached by the application, and these were added by the Case Officer to the reasons for refusal, bolstering the strength and depth of the decision.
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The Planning Committee vote has to confirmed, but looked to be: Refusal – 7, Abstained - 1
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The SoS had also stated that the site had only ever been for B1 (now E(g), defined as ‘Uses which can be carried out in a residential area without detriment to its amenity’). This was at odds with Breckland's interpretation, who believed a B2 use was in place.
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While there is a category under E(g) for industrial processes, it is unlikely that a full and proper EIA would result in permission being granted as the operation would have a demonstrable negative effect on our residents, which may well be why one wasn’t carried out. The Applicant spoke to say we had 'mischaracterised' his business as 'heavy industry', and then contradicted some of his recorded earlier applications about ownership of land he had previously applied to build on in Attleborough.
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It is entirely possible that an appeal or secondary application might be made later. But having refused the original application based on the opinion of the Secretary of State, Breckland would now have to defend their refusal based on that new baseline opinion and the full schedule of policy breaches, reducing the potential for it to succeed.
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The Parish Council also requested that the change of variation applications – 1054 & 1055 – were also refused, but it is unclear if these will be refused or withdrawn in light of the refusal of the main application.
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This may well not be the end of this matter, but the village’s overall position is much stronger following this refusal.
6 MARCH 2024
APPROVAL FOR GRISTON'S THOMPSON ROAD 'TROD' PROPOSAL IN THE EASTERN DAILY PRESS
Our proposal to install a 'trod' footpath along the length of Thompson Road to safeguard pedestrians has - according to a report in the Eastern Daily Press - been approved by Norfolk County Council's Parish Partnership. Of the 82 approved schemes for towns and villages across the county, Griston's is the fourth most expensive proposal at £26,159, reinforcing the priority now being put upon this by the Parish Council.
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Of the whole county, only Thetford, Dereham and Terrington St John will receive larger grants.
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EDP Report: New road safety schemes in 100 Norfolk towns and villages | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk)
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More details of the proposed footpath are on our 'What We're Doing' page.
4 MARCH 2024
BRECKLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE:
UPDATE ON COUGHTREY TRADING ESTATE INDUSTRIAL PROPOSAL
Breckland has announced that the planning application for the Coughtrey Estate is listed to be considered at the Planning Committee Meeting on Tuesday 12 March 2024, at
Breckland District Council
Elizabeth House,
Walpole Loke,
Dereham, NR19 1EE
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starting at 10:00.
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The council appears to have now changed direction on this, with a recommendation by the Case Officer to refuse the application.
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One of your Parish Councillors will be speaking to support the refusal, which reflects the large majority of opinion in the village; John Heath will also speak on behalf of the Griston Community Group, which has funded the legal challenge that has brought about the change of recommendation.
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We urge as many villagers as possible to attend the planning meeting, to show that the strength of feeling remains strong and resolute. While the support of our County Councillors and MP will no doubt have played a part, it was the initial large scale opposition - and fantastic attendance by 25+ villagers at the first Planning Meeting in January 2023 - that will have been the key driver in this.
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Breckland's Planning Case Officer's revised paper recommending refusal can be accessed at:
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Not Specified (breckland.gov.uk)
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The story was covered in the Eastern Daily Press on 6 March:
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Plans for Coughtrey Trading Estate in Griston to be refused | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk)
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20 FEBRUARY 2024
SECOND UPDATE ON GEORGE FREEMAN MP's VISIT TO DISCUSS THE HEAVY INDUSTRY PROPOSAL
FOR COUGHTREY TRADING ESTATE
Our constituency MP George Freeman has further updated his website to include his letter to Michael Gove as Secretary of State at the Department or Levelling Up, Housing and Communities reinforcing his objection to the development.
He has aligned himself strongly with the direction to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the site, something Breckland District Council has been unable to confirm they are complying with.
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Details at
16 FEBRUARY 2024
UPDATE ON GEORGE FREEMAN MP's VISIT TO DISCUSS THE HEAVY INDUSTRY PROPOSAL
FOR COUGHTREY TRADING ESTATE
George Freeman has now updated his website with further details of his support to the opposition to the heavy industrial planning change of use at Coughtrey Trading Estate being favoured by Breckland District Council.
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A full page of coverage, a short video and photographs can be seen at Griston Planning Application – Update | George Freeman MP
George's visit and support was also reported - with a photograph - in the Eastern Daily Press on 15 February 2024.
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https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24120284.norfolk-village-planning-row-continues-heavy-plant-bid/
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10 FEBRUARY 2024
NEW BIN COLLECTIONS DAYS FOR 2024-25
Breckland District Council's waste service provider Serco has changed the days on which the village's bins will be collected with effect from the last week in February.
Every household in Griston should have received a leaflet in the post (two leaflets if you also subscribe to the brown garden bin scheme), but in case you didn't see them, here are the known dates for 2024-25.
6 FEBRUARY 2024
MEETING WITH GEORGE FREEMAN MP OVER COUGHTREY TRADING ESTATE HEAVY INDUSTRY PLANNING APPLICATION
Councillors met with our constituency MP George Freeman on
2 February to discuss opposition to the change of use to heavy
industry at the Coughtrey Trading Estate in the centre of the village.
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Parishioner neighbours of the development Alison Prince, Michael
Wood and John Heath explained their concerns to George, with
support from Parish Councillors Kate Steventon and Shane Barber
from Griston and Simon Spanyol from Caston.
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George is highly sympathetic to stopping the adverse changes this
will inevitably bring to Griston and agrees that it is the 'wrong
development in the wrong place'.
He has undertaken to write to Secretary of State Michael Gove to
stress the need for a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
to be done for noise/vibration and airborne contaminants as has
been directed by the Secretary of State in response to the Griston
Community Group's legal challenge to Breckland Council's intended
outcome.
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He is also taking up the issues and concerns raised by parishioners
at various levels of Breckland District Council.
His letter to Breckland from December 2023 can be seen at
Griston Planning Application | George Freeman MP
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George also posted photographs of his visit on his own social media
pages - see right.
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As further developments in this case happen we will publish updates.
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