Councillors have blocked a bid for new shops and flats in a Norfolk village amid anger that previous plans for a village hall on the site never came to be.

Norton Hill hoped to build two retail units and two homes above on brownfield land in Stoke Ferry.

It follows earlier failed plans by a previous developer to turn the site into a new community space, including a village hall and green areas.

Eastern Daily Press: Sue Lintern, chair of Stoke Ferry Parish CouncilSue Lintern, chair of Stoke Ferry Parish Council (Image: Andy Cobbold)

At a West Norfolk Council planning committee, members heard objections from villagers and the parish council, who argued it was "morally wrong" that promises had been broken, with councillor Sue Lintern believing there was little to be gained for the community after the plans changed.

An earlier bid for housing as part of a phased development was approved for this section of land outside the development boundary of Stoke Ferry on the proviso a village hall would be built. 

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But this never came to fruition after previous developers Chalcroft went bust and the site has been left untouched for a decade.

Eastern Daily Press: Stoke Ferry's existing village hall in Lynn RoadStoke Ferry's existing village hall in Lynn Road (Image: Google)

Developments in the village have long been a point of controversy, spurring protests by locals in recent years.

Despite the chequered history, councillors were asked to consider the new application as a "clean slate".

But there was anger among members that the village hall bid failed and that a developer was able to get away with not fulfilling its promises.

Eastern Daily Press: Where the shops and flats would have been built in Stoke FerryWhere the shops and flats would have been built in Stoke Ferry (Image: Google)

Councillor Martin Storey said villagers felt "abandoned" and argued there should be more powers to ensure plans for community spaces such as village halls were followed through with.

There was also doubt that the shops were needed for the village, although councillor Pallavi Devulapalli said it could breathe new life into the area.

Despite officers recommending the application be approved, councillors voted to refuse it on the basis that it was outside the development boundary and that the harm it could cause to the conservation area did not outweigh the potential benefits.