Burnham Overy Staithe neighbourhood plan survey results

Some 138 people took part in the poll at Burnham Overy Staithe, between Hunstanton and Wells.

A report listing their responses said: "Some respondents [12] wrote about disliking the divisions in the community – including comments about a sense of tension, bad feelings, unpleasantness, and an 'us and them' divide between people who live in Burnham Overy all year round and those who visit or own property in the parish they do not live in full time.

"Eleven responses described the number of second homes as a negative including comments about there being too many second homes, a low number of permanent residents and the impact on the community especially in the winter."

A view across the fields towards Burnham Overy Staithe (Image: Chris Bishop)

The survey was carried out to assist in drawing up a neighbourhood plan for the village.

Nearby coastal communities have already approved similar plans, which include curbs on second homes and holiday lets.

An estimated  70pc of the 216 properties in Burnham Overy are second homes or holiday lets - one of the highest proportions in the UK.

In May, 2023, the village had to re-run its parish council elections because not enough people stood to make the body quorate.

Of those who took part in the survey, 45pc said they were not happy with the current mix of housing in the village, while 40pc said they were, with the remainder unsure.

"The majority of comments were about the need for more permanent, year-round residents in the parish and a reduction in infrequently used/empty second homes," adds the report.

The harbour at Burnham Overy Staithe (Image: Chris Bishop)

"Some respondents commented that some second homes and short term lets are beneficial but that the current balance is not right.

"Some people feel that high number of empty homes affects the sense of community in the parish, especially in the winter."

The survey said the issue most raised by respondents was traffic, including congestion in the summer months, speeding drivers and inconsiderate parking.

The mill which stands near Burnham Overy Staithe (Image: Chris Bishop)

The age of those taking part highlighted the aging demographic of the Norfolk coast, with 56pc aged between 50 and 69, 25pc aged 70 - 84 and 4pc 85 and above - a total of 85pc.

A third of those taking part said they lived in the village; 26pc owned a second home where they spent more than four months of the year; 21pc owned a second home they spent less than four months of the year in; 1pc owned a holiday let and 18pc did not disclose their connection to the parish.

Three-quarters described how much they admire the natural environment around the village, which stands beside the tidal outflow of the River Burn and is skirted by extensive marshes and Scolt Head.

Around 44pc of respondents also described how much they value the community in Burnham Overy, including comments about local people, good neighbours and friends, a sense of community cohesion and community activities.

The ferry sets out from Burnham Overy Staithe for Scolt Head Island (Image: Chris Bishop)

Amenities highlighted with positive comments included the coffee stand by the harbour, village pub, boathouse, village hall, playing field, playground, the ferry, allotments, tennis courts and the ice cream van.

Respondents also highlighted local walks, footpaths and being able to access the local area without a car, along with the peace and quiet of the parish, especially in the winter.

The parish is currently at the first stage of drawing up a plan, which is expected to take a year to draft before it goes out to villagers for consultation.

If more than 50pc of registered electors agree the final draft, the plan must then be taken into account by West Norfolk Council when deciding planning applications in the village.

BOATS AND BOOKS

Nelson was born in nearby Burnham Thorpe and learned to sail at Burnham Overy before he joined the navy at the age of 12.

The Hero, the village's only pub is named after him.

Richard Woodget, master of the tea clipper Cutty Sark, also lived in the village and is buried at Burnham Norton.

Sailing remains the village's biggest draw, with its harbour on the winding estuary of the River Burn packed with craft of all shapes and sizes.

Burnham Overy's permanent population fell from 311 at the 2001 census, to 167 at the 2011 count.

The village is one of the coast's second homes hotspots.

Its most famous incomer was Anna, the hero of Joan G Robinson's 1967 children's novel When Marnie Was There, who comes to the Norfolk coast to recover from an illness and makes a mysterious new friend.

Its author was staying in the village when she walked past a house on the corner of the harbour and saw a young girl sitting at the window having her hair brushed.

She spent the rest of her holiday writing its first draft.