The owners of one of Norfolk's most remote pubs have lost a bid to overturn criminal charges over the failure to remove two static caravans.

Raymond Hollocks and his son William Hollocks are being prosecuted by the Broads Authority (BA) over a long-running saga involving caravans on the site of the Beauchamp Arms pub on the banks of the River Yare.

The father and son, 71 and 32, claim an enforcement notice is part of vendetta against them and that “dubious activities” meant it had not been properly served, denying them the opportunity to appeal.

READ MORE: Row over static homes on the Norfolk Broads

Appearing at Norwich Crown Court they sought to have charges that they failed to comply with the notice dismissed claiming it breached the human rights of the caravan occupants and made their business unviable. 

Eastern Daily Press: Static caravans outside of the car park of the Beauchamp Arms pubStatic caravans outside of the car park of the Beauchamp Arms pub (Image: Newsquest)

The notice served in November 2021 relates to the storing of two static caravans on the land beside the Broads pub.

It gave three months to stop use of the caravans and four months to remove the structures, disconnect utilities and restore the land.

Raymond Hollocks told the court it would be “inhumane” to remove the caravans as it risked making people homeless. 

He said: “It does not seem logical. They are the only way we can take the business forward. They are for seasonal staff who, due to our remoteness, otherwise have nowhere else to stay.” 

The court was told caravans had been on site since the 1960s, however Mr Hollocks admitted the present statics had been removed and replaced in 2018.  

Eastern Daily Press: Raymond and William Hollocks believes the enforcement action are part of a personal vendettaRaymond and William Hollocks believes the enforcement action are part of a personal vendetta (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Broads pub owner Ray Hollocks to stand trial over caravans

Giles Atkinson, for the Broads Authority, said the action was about the removal of “substandard structures” and upholding planning rules.

“Neither of these two caravans are currently occupied and have not been for some time, so no-one is going to be made homeless,” he added. 

Judge Alice Robinson declined the application to dismiss the case.

The Hollocks and their business Carlton St Peter Properties Ltd formally entered not guilty pleas to failing to comply or conniving to not comply with an enforcement notice.  

They will stand trial in June 2025.