Norfolk village hotel bid faces objection over parking plans

Lorraine and Paul Thompson are seeking permission from Great Yarmouth Borough Council to change the use of a residential dwelling and outbuilding at the Black Barn on Market Lane in Filby.

The plan is an expansion of the holiday rental and spa site they opened on the site in 2019.

The site currently has three bedrooms, a spa complex with treatment rooms and a six-person swimming pool.

Lorraine Thompson who owns Black Barn Airbnb in Filby with her husband Paul. (Image: Neil Perry)

Dylan Thompson, the general manager, said the new plans involve opening one more bedroom to holidaymakers and "improving" the spa experience.

He also said the venue has secured neighbouring land to accomodate extra parking spaces after Norfolk County Council Highways had objected to the bid over "inadequate parking plans" that would lead to "undesirable on-street parking".

Mr Thompson said the business was working on a parking management plan of approximately 20 parking spaces. 

An officer with Norfolk County Council Highways had said the application would result in a fully commercial use of the site and an overall increase in vehicle movements from customers, staff and servicing needs.

The officer said the "worst case scenario" would have the hotel, swimming pool and spa all booked separately at the same time.

To meet the proposed uses of the site, there should be 22 parking spaces, they said.

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The swimming pool at the Black Barn in Filby. (Image: The Black Barn)

Filby Parish Council also commented on the plans, stating there was "insufficient information regarding the highways and parking provision".

The authority will comment further once the Highways queries have been answered, the parish clerk, Catherine Moore, said.

The Thompsons bought the site in 2015 before opening the holiday let on the site of a former pig shed.