Plans for new office block at Searles in Hunstanton

Searles Leisure Resort has applied to build the complex on land currently occupied by a bungalow at the entrance to its site on South Beach Road, at Hunstanton.

It says in a planning statement: "This proposal will optimize the resort’s operations and output by creating a central administration hub, and the proposed showroom and sales office will allow for a higher quality experience for prospective purchasers, both of which will help to increase the resort’s contribution to the local economy.

"Searles Leisure Resort is one of the biggest employers in Hunstanton with around 260 employees and has attracted visitors and their holiday spending to Hunstanton, Heacham and surrounding areas for almost 70 years."

The house which would be demolished to make way for the new office block (Image: Chris Bishop)

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The bungalow would be demolished to make way for the building, which would have a single-storey showroom, a three-storey office block and 12 parking spaces.

The statement says the two-bedroom property has been standing empty for a year and is "uninhabitable" because "significant renovations" are needed.

It adds its loss "should not be considered unacceptable or problematic in principle" because the area has an ample supply of new properties.

The site of the proposed showroom and office block on South Beach Road at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

Searles has more than 650 static caravans on its site at the southern outskirts of Hunstanton, along with a golf course, fishing lake, restaurants, bars and swimming pools.

It can trace its history back to 1934, when the family bought a field to keep the donkeys they hired out for rides on the nearby beach and began selling caravan pitches in exchange for bags of potatoes.

A decision is expected from West Norfolk council later this year.