Are there too many campsites in Holme, near Hunstanton?

But more than 1,000 years after the legions departed, villagers now face a different kind of invasion.

Plans for a new campsite - in a village where 60pc of properties are second homes or holiday lets - have brought to the forefront tensions between what few people still live at Holme, near Hunstanton, and those who see the coastal hamlet as a perfect summer retreat.

In the holiday season, its 230 or so permanent inhabitants are outnumbered by staycationers flocking to its AirBnBs or its five existing caravan and camping sites.

A woman walks along a leafy lane at Holme, where 60pc of properties are now second homes or holiday lets (Image: Chris Bishop)

Holme Parish Council says the village already has a "disproportionate" mix of more units of holiday accommodation than lived-in properties.

In its 12-page objection to the campsite, which was proposed for land off the main A149 and Beach Road, it said: "The community cannot absorb any further holiday accommodation without being entirely overrun in the summer months."

Holme's neighbourhood plan says the village's population fell by 30pc between the 2001 and 2011 census counts, while its proportion of lived-in properties is "one of the lowest if not the lowest figure in the country".

Peddars Way, an ancient Roman road, runs through Holme (Image: Chris Bishop)

"Whilst second homes and holiday lets undoubtedly contribute to the local economy there needs to be a degree of balance and in Holme the balance is completely wrong," it adds. "This is damaging the local community."

The neighbourhood plan states any new home must be a principal residence and new campsites should not be permitted.

READ MORE: Which areas of Norfolk have the most second homes?

READ MORE: Tides reveal remains of ancient forest at Holme

Tony Foster, pictured near his home in Holme (Image: Chris Bishop)

Retired communications executive Tony Foster, 80, has lived on Westgate for more than 20 years and runs the village website.

"We believe that this very small hamlet already has more than enough holiday accommodation," he said.

"We've got limited resources, we've already got three caravan sites. It's a question of proportion.

"It's not a nimby thing, we're not against change. If there was never any change, every house in the village would still be a one-bed cottage with a cow in the toilet."

A view across the coastal area of outstanding natural beauty towards Holme on the Norfolk coast (Image: Chris Bishop)

Cows are few and far between around Holme these days. But some objectors said the campsite would deprive the area of eight acres of potentially prime farmland.

"We need to graze more cattle or sheep, or grow crops on our land to feed us - not erect tents for camping," said Peter Ham, one of the 15 opponents on West Norfolk council's planning portal.

Plans for the campsite were withdrawn last week despite 55 supporting comments.

A view down a leafy lane at Holme next the Sea (Image: Chris Bishop)

"It is noticeable that these are split between members of the local community who are generally opposed to the campsite and others who support it," the parish council said.

Many supporters said there was a need for cheaper holiday accommodation on part of the coast where larger holiday lets can command £1,000 a week or more in high season.

But villager Frank Boardman added: "This process appears to have been hijacked by those living outside the area simply looking for more affordable accommodation with little consideration for its impact on village residents."

The ANPR camera at the beach car park at Holme (Image: Chris Bishop)

Traffic on narrow Beach Road is another bone of contention - along with visitors parking on nearby Westgate to avoid the new ANPR camera enforcing the £7 a day charge to use the beach car park.

Fellow villager Tina Ham said: "Since the lockdown it's been like "Valhalla" down Beach Road and the other roads in our village during the summer months.

"The standard of driving is appalling with no consideration of pedestrians whatsoever by many and villagers on foot are at risk of being being run over by Chelsea tractor drivers."

Ancient Britons might have said as much about the Romans hogging the roads with their chariots. But the Chelsea tractors show no sign of retreating any time soon.