A parish council chairman has been banned from a string of businesses in his village over his "incendiary" comments about second home and holiday let owners.
Dennis Clark said there was "a genuine hatred" of them in Burnham Market, which is known as Chelsea-on-Sea because of the large numbers of wealthy Londoners with property there.
His remarks have angered some in the village, who argue that second homes and holiday lets are a crucial part of the area's economy.
Tim Roberts, who runs four businesses on the market square, said he had banned Mr Clark from all of them and was calling for him to step down from the parish council.
"His comment that there is a genuine hatred for second-home owners among some villagers is incendiary and uncalled for," Mr Roberts said.
He claimed other businesses were also banning Mr Clark in protest.
Another trader, who did not wish to be named, said: "He's not welcome in any of the businesses here.
"This whole thing has got completely out of hand. He's the chair of the parish council, he shouldn't be inciting hatred - it's just crazy."
Mr Clark made his remarks in an interview with the Times newspaper about the impact of second homes on the area, which has one of the UK's highest concentrations of such properties.
“They have turned our beautiful village into something resembling Center Parcs,” he added.
“None of the people who work in the village can afford to live here, we don’t have a village cricket or football team any more.
"Obviously traders in the village benefit massively, and estate agents make a fortune, but there is also a lot of anger.”
Tim Roberts, who has banned Burnham Market Parish Council chairman Dennis Clark from four of his businesses in the village (Image: Tim Roberts)
But Mr Roberts, who runs NoTwenty9 restaurant, NoThirty3 Bakery, Eric & Dolly's Doggy Boutique and Purely Polished Beauty Salon, said the comments were "laughable" and the village would die without holiday lets.
"It’s those same people as well as second-home owners who keep this village alive by eating and drinking in the various hostelries, shop in the independent outlets, fill their vehicles up at our local garage as well as using their services and support other retail stores," he added.
"If such establishments had to rely on ‘local’ patronage then this village would be dead within 12 months resulting in mass closures, no Post Office and no jobs for anyone, local or otherwise."
Mr Clark declined to comment when approached by the EDP.
The row is the latest twist in a long-running debate over the impact of second homes and holiday lets on coastal communities.
Burnham Market is one of many of which have voted to adopt neighbourhood plans stipulating any new property must be a principal residence, where someone lives full time.
It has been known as Chelsea-on-Sea for decades, because of the number of well-heeled Londoners who own second homes in the Georgian village.
But recent years have also seen surging numbers of short-term holiday lets, with around half of homes no longer having permanent residents, amid fears demand for properties has pushed house prices beyond the reach of local people.
Like other communities across West Norfolk, second home owners will face a 100pc surcharge on their council tax from 2025.
The Independent-controlled West Norfolk Council voted to approve the new levy which will come into force next year and is expected to raise an extra £6.5m in funds.
In Burnham Market and Brancaster alone it could raise at least £1m, although it is not clear how much of the money will find its way back to the villages.
Last month, Mr Clark said the parish council would be writing to holiday let owners to ask them to make a £100 donation towards the upkeep of the village.
Burnham Market has suffered severe flooding since early January. At a public meeting earlier this month, North West Norfolk MP James Wild suggested money recouped from the second second homes levy could help fund improved defences.
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