Hunstanton Town Council discusses ‘dangerous’ tree, potential fly-tipping and Centre Port plans

Councillors have called for a “dangerous” tree outside of their town centre meeting place to be trimmed down.

At Hunstanton Town Council’s full meeting last Wednesday, members discussed a large tree which sits just outside of the town hall.

Cllr Wendy Croucher said she and Cllr Tony Bishopp stood outside the venue earlier in the day and, upon looking at the looming branches, said: “Ouch.”

She therefore suggested that action needs to be taken immediately - something town mayor Cllr Michael Ruston agreed with.

“At this time of year it is not a nesting site, and it is getting out of control,” Cllr Croucher said.

“It is going to keep going up - we need to do something about it. That tree is going to keep going up and up and up.

“I think we really need a serious look at it, because it is getting to the stage where it is actually getting dangerous.”

FLY-TIPPING POTENTIAL?

Cllr Robert Corby said he is “very seriously concerned” about Norfolk County Council plans to introduce a booking system at tips.

This will go live at the start of November, and has proven controversial.

Speaking about Heacham’s tip, Cllr Corby said: “It does seem to me that that is a recipe for major fly-tipping.”

The county council has argued that the changes will help with service demand, reduce congestion and make sites safer while ensuring costs are covered for the disposal of waste.

A POSITION ON CENTRE PORT PLANS?

In September, entrepreneur James Sutcliffe said that his plans for a multi-billion pound port in The Wash could be operational by 2031.

The multi-dimensional plan could bring a road across The Wash to connect Hunstanton and Lincolnshire as part of new structure, which also aims to offer flood protection for homes and to create tidal power.

Cllr Corby referenced the meeting where Mr Sutcliffe made this statement.

At Hunstanton Town Council’s meeting last Wednesday, Cllr Corby said he believes the council should voice its opposition to the scheme before it is too late.

“What this means is that we have to start getting our act together,” he said.

“I do think we need a council plan with that project sooner rather than later.

“If we wait for more facts from Mr Sutcliffe, it will be too late.”