Wells WI angry at plans for 'party house' next door

But now Women's Institute members in a seaside town are fuming over their tea and cake at plans to turn a former youth hostel next to their meeting room into a "party house".

Developers have applied to convert the former hostel, on Church Plain at Wells, into a 10-bed holiday let.

The former youth hostel on Church Plain at Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Plans also include landscaping an area behind the building, which members of Wells WI use for parking, and installing gates across the entrance at the side of the site which members use to access it.

In its formal objection on North Norfolk council's planning portal, the 47-strong branch, which has been using the Women's Institute Hall since the 1920s, says: "The WI building has a right to 7ft access from the road to the building, this is documented within the deeds of the hall dated 1923.

"The construction of a security gate would severely restrict access to our building. Most of our members are elderly, some are disabled, and they would find it difficult, if not impossible, to open and close a security gate such as envisaged in the feasibility study.

The Wells WI Hall, behind the former youth hostel (Image: Chris Bishop)

"Parking in Church Plain is already difficult for residents and our members; the increase in vehicular traffic because of this 'party house' would therefore further disadvantage residents and our members making parking even more problematic."

The plans for the hostel also include a proposed plunge pool, prompting further concerns about noise disturbance from the property.

WI members who were attending a Probus meeting at the hall on Monday, which was attended by around 30 people, declined to comment further. But three women came outside to tell of their anger.

'IT WON'T BE EASY WHEN YOU'RE CARRYING A CAKE'

From left Janet Macnab, Jean Davies and Thelma Short at the Wells WI Hall (Image: Chris Bishop)

Thelma Short, 83, has been using the WI hall for 20 years.

"We won't be able to get to it, old people like me carrying a cake down," she said. "It's heart-breaking."

She added the small parking area was also used for parking by parishioners attending nearby St Nicholas Church, because there were few places to park nearby.

The former youth hostel stands on Church Plain in Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Jean Davies, 70, said: "Access will be very difficult, I understand it's going to be gated.

"The local Probus group use it for meetings. When we've got a speaker, they've got to carry things they're using for their talk like projectors and things - they're very difficult to carry a long way."

Janet Macnab, 79, said: "Everybody feels really strongly about it.  I had children who had birthday parties here, we have church functions here. I enjoy coming to the embroidery group."

TOWN COUNCIL LEADS SLEW OF OBJECTIONS

The former youth hostel in Wells (Image: Chris Bishop)

Wells Town Council has labelled the gates "disgusting".

"The Women’s Institute Hall to the west of the hostel has served the ladies and community of Wells since at least 1923," it says in its strongly-worded response to the plans.

"The imposition of this development on these ladies and the potential loss of unrestricted access is catastrophic.

"Many of the members have restricted mobility and need vehicle access to the door of the Hall. The idea that they will have to negotiate massive metal gates is disgusting."

There is little parking on the narrow High Street, which leads into town from Church Plain (Image: Chris Bishop)

Plans submitted to North Norfolk council also include a terrace and plunge pool. 

The town council adds: "The proposed development of the youth hostel into a ten-bedroom holiday rental, opposite the main parish church, in a quiet residential part of the town’s conservation area, is totally unacceptable.

"The youth hostel is in extremely close proximity to several residential dwellings, and a holiday rental that can sleep up to twenty people next door to these dwellings has the potential to cause significant disturbance and loss of amenity."

To date, 18 objections have been received. One man living nearby states: "My wife, who has mobility issues, is a longstanding member of the Wells WI.

Members access the WI Hall via a track at the side of the former youth hostel (Image: Chris Bishop)

"I know first hand the difficulties she would face accessing the hall, under the provisions of this planning application. Indeed, it would curtail her ability to continue being a member.

"It is unacceptable, that such a proposal should result in their loss of this valued amenity, which may result in feelings of social isolation, for members living alone."

Another neighbour adds: "The development is inappropriate in this residential conservation area and quiet part of the town.

"The occupants of 10 double bedrooms with a large communal living space, an outdoor seating space and plunge pool will create unreasonable noise levels."

WHAT THE DEVELOPERS SAY

The former youth hostel in Wells, which sold for £400,000 earlier this year (Image: Chris Bishop)

The planning application, under the name of agent Tom Leahy, proposes "reconfiguration of the internal layouts to contemporary living standards, including the addition of en-suite bathrooms to bedrooms and an open plan living space"

It also includes a "minor extension to the northern wing of the property, new windows and "improving the back garden through planting and landscaping works, as well as a small raised plunge pool".

A planning statement adds: "The proposal intends to restore the building's grandeur by establishing a stronger sense of order, refinement and symmetry that the property once had."

The hostel, which closed in around 2020 was sold for £400,000 in April to a buyer described as "experienced boutique hoteliers".

A decision is expected later this year.