Planning – Application Comments

I am astonished to eventually find three further McDonalds proposals linked to their main proposal for a drive-thru restaurant to which I am one of the 500 people to have already objected and commented on.

Further to my earlier comments I strongly object to ALL the proposed signage, often illuminated, both roadside leading up to and on site next to a busy crossroads at the entrance to Heacham. The lighting would certainly affect nearby residents as well as providing a distraction for drivers. Basically it would be a large scale commercial 24 hour eyesore on the edge of a rural seaside village and as such is totally inappropriate.

I hope the council consider the comments on all the McDonald's proposals together as one.

I am very disappointed to find this and two other proposals from McDonalds separate to their proposal for a drive-thru restaurant. The council portal map view of proposals close to my location appears to show just the one above mentioned main proposal to which there have been 500 objections.

These further three connected proposals only came to my attention when I selected a 'list view' hence the lateness of my objections to add and support my comments already given at length re the creation of a free standing restaurant. Had these additional proposals been more obvious I am sure many of the 500 objectors would have added further comments here too. I trust the council will consider this and look at the cumulative affect of all the related proposals.

I object to this proposal for advertising signage. Such an array of commercial signs is inappropriate and unwelcome in terms of the character of our rural seaside village. If lit up after dark it will even more so be an eyesore particularly to those living nearby. On top of this it will be an added distraction to drivers on an already busy A149 and traffic junction.

Heritage Impact on Caley Mill and the Historic Norfolk Lavender Setting
The application should be considered very carefully in relation to the setting of Caley Mill, a Grade II listed building, and the wider historic landscape associated with Norfolk Lavender.

This is not simply a development located somewhere near a listed building. The Council's own statutory planning notice identifies application 26/01270/F as an application which affects the setting of a listed building and a Conservation Area.

The adopted Heacham Neighbourhood Development Plan identifies Caley Mill as a Grade II listed heritage asset. Policy 16 requires development proposals to respect the importance of listed buildings and states that any harm to the significance of a listed building arising from development within its setting requires clear and convincing justification.

The proposed development would introduce a substantial commercial building, extensive hardstanding, car parking, a drive-thru facility, access arrangements, customer order displays, lighting and illuminated advertising immediately opposite the historic Norfolk Lavender site and within the setting of Caley Mill.

The heritage impact should therefore not be assessed solely by considering the architectural appearance of the restaurant. The Council should consider the combined effect of the building, car park, drive-thru, signage, lighting, vehicle movements and associated infrastructure on the setting and significance of the listed building.

Of particular concern is the proposed 24-hour operation. The development would introduce a substantial amount of artificial light into an area historically characterised by the Mill, Norfolk Lavender and the surrounding rural landscape. The separately submitted advertisement applications include illuminated fascia signs, illuminated booth lettering, a digital booth display, yellow soffit lighting and a freestanding totem sign.

These elements have the potential to materially change the character of the setting of Caley Mill after dark. The effect of illumination should not be treated as a minor advertising matter when considered cumulatively with the restaurant, parking areas, drive-thru and vehicle headlights.

The applicant should therefore demonstrate, through an appropriate heritage and visual assessment, that the development preserves the significance and setting of Caley Mill and does not cause unjustified harm to this designated heritage asset.

The use of Carstone and landscaping does not, in itself, demonstrate that the heritage setting will be preserved. The relevant issue is the effect of the whole development as experienced from and around the listed building and its historic setting, including during hours of darkness.

The Council should require a clear assessment of:

- important views between Caley Mill, Lynn Road and the proposed development;

- the height, massing and roof form of the proposed building;

- the visibility of the restaurant and associated infrastructure from the listed building;

- the visual impact of the car park and drive-thru;

- the proposed illuminated signage and digital display;

- the cumulative effect of all artificial lighting;

- the effect of vehicle headlights and activity associated with a 24-hour operation;

- whether the proposed development would urbanise a setting historically associated with Caley Mill and Norfolk Lavender; and

- whether any identified harm to the significance or setting of the listed building has been adequately justified.

The Council should apply considerable weight to the conservation of the designated heritage asset, as required by national planning policy and Policy 16 of the adopted Heacham Neighbourhood Development Plan.

In the absence of clear and convincing justification for any harm to the setting and significance of Caley Mill, the proposal should not be considered acceptable in heritage term

Just no.....we don't need it in the village. No signs no McDonalds. Will cause traffic problems and accidents

Yet another separate application for illuminated signage unaccountably omitted from McDonalds' original application.

To largely reiterate my previous comments: more Illuminated 24-hour signage in a Dark Skies area between two Grade Two listed structures, at the gateway to an area of outstanding natural beauty, near the centre of the village, on a busy traffic-light-controlled junction?

Hell for residents, dangerous for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians who could so easily be missed in the glare, destroying irreparably the character of the area, not to mention sounding the death knoll to any nocturnal wildlife that hasn't already been run down.

This entire application must be unequivocally rejected.

I am writing to object to 30, 30!! (most of them illuminated) signs on the proposed McDonald's site IN Heacham and alongside the busy A149 highway. I also object to the incorporated 'play' area proposed on a totally inappropriate drive-thru/restaurant.
These proposed signs will add to driver distraction and confusion at a busy main road 4-way junction. Possibly leading to increasing road traffic incidents.
The proposed illuminated signage will affect the dark skies policies and add to the mental stresses of neighboring residents in the
properties adjacent to the proposed site.
Heacham residents deserve equal consideration to any other McDonald's site, where proposed sites would not be allowed within a residential area.