Result of Old Hunstanton's neighbourhood plan vote

Villagers in Old Hunstanton are the latest to agree a neighbourhood plan which places restrictions on so-called "lock and leaves".

Locals voted by 86 - 8 to adopt the document at a parish poll which took place on Thursday, in which 94 people - 28pc of the village's 329-strong electorate - took part.

Old Hunstanton is best known for its beach, sand dunes and rows of colourful beach huts (Image: Ian Burt)

It says new developments will only be supported where they will be principal residences, which it defines as "the residents’ sole or main residence, where the residents spend the majority of their time when not working away from home".

It adds the condition must be set out in a planning condition or legal agreement.

Some 125 of the 349 properties in the village are registered as second homes. There are also believed to be around 60 holiday lets including the Hippisley Hut, a secret listening post from the First World War believed to be one of the birthplaces of modern-day radar.

More than half of properties in Old Hunstanton are second homes or holiday lets (Image: Ian Burt)

The plan states: "Even second home owners in Old Hunstanton feel that the number of second homes and holiday lets is jeopardising the village community, a case of killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

"The worry is that the community cannot thrive if the number of permanent residents become too low."

Similar restrictions are now in force along an almost continuous 30 mile stretch of coastline between Heacham and Blakeney.

West Norfolk and North Norfolk councils must take neighbourhood plans into account when deciding on planning applications.

The vote comes days after councillors in West Norfolk voted to impose a 100pc council tax surcharge on second properties.

While some second home owners feel 'penalised', the measure will bring in an extra £6.5m a  year - most of which will go to Norfolk County Council.