Opposition mounts to barn conversion at Burnham Thorpe

Developer Dunstone wants to do up centuries-old buildings on the Walsingham Road at Burnham Thorpe, near Burnham market.

Proposals include a six-bed property with a guest annexe, swimming pool and changing rooms.

Lady Anne Glenconner is among the objectors to the proposals (Image: Denise Bradley) One of the barns which developers hope to convert into a luxury home at Burnham Thorpe (Image: Chris Bishop) But almost 80 people have objected - including Lady Anne Glenconner, a childhood friend of the late Queen, who lives nearby.

Now the parish council has added its concerns, saying: "The impact on the wider village will be considerable."

The proposed development is next to the church where Nelson's father was the rector.

The proposed development is next to the church at Burnham Thorpe, where Nelson's father was the rector (Image: Chris Bishop) All Saints Church at Burnham Thorpe (Image: Chris Bishop) The parish council adds in its objection the church has "nationally important associations with Lord Nelson", who was born in the village in 1758 and learnt to sail on nearby creeks before joining the navy in his teens.

"Many people make pilgrimages to the church because of its association with him as well as those who have relatives in the churchyard and those who are mentioned on the war memorial," the council says.

"It is an area of quiet prayer and contemplation and the use of the adjacent land for potentially noisy and disturbing activities is not appropriate.

A portrait of Nelson which hangs in Blackfriars Hall, in Norwich (Image: Archive) A bust of Nelson in the church at Burnham Thorpe (Image: Chris Bishop) "This area is one of the few parts of the country where it is often entirely quiet  and this special quality, together with its importance to the use of the church, is of great value."

It adds the development would cause "significant harm to the setting of the conservation area".

Dunstone says the development offers the most viable way of restoring the barns and bringing them back into use.

One of the barns earmarked for conversion at Burnham Thorpe (Image: Chris Bishop) One of the barns earmarked for conversion at Burnham Thorpe (Image: Chris Bishop) In a letter to council planners, it says: "We believe this proposal aligns with local and national planning policies, respects the setting of the grade I listed church and has been designed with sensitivity to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the surrounding community."

It adds the swimming pool is more than 30m from the church, a large open yard will act as a "buffer" and additional trees will be planted to screen it.

West Norfolk Council's planning committee is expected to decide on the application early next year.