Case dropped against Brancaster Parish Council over car park

Brancaster Parish Council was taken to the small claims court two years ago by the Scolt Head and District Common Rightholders Association (SHDCRA).

SHDCRA claimed it was owed some of the money the parish council receives from the car park at Brancaster Beach to make up for lost grazing rights.

Brancaster Beach Car Park (Image: Chris Bishop)

But the council, which receives around £50,000 a year from the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, which operates the car park, defended the claim.

And SHDCRA called off the action after a judge ruled it should be heard before a higher court, meaning it faced costs of tens of thousands.

The association has now signed a formal settlement agreement with the council.

Brancaster Parish Council chair Tom de Winton (Image: Chris Bishop)

Parish chair Tom de Winton said: "This represents a big win on the part of the people of Brancaster.

"The donations that we receive from the Brancaster Beach Car Park, given to us by the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, allow us to give grants to local groups and charities.

"These include village halls, children’s play areas, sports clubs, both churches, our new NHS first responder and our local school.

The car park is next to Brancaster Beach (Image: Chris Bishop)

"All our parishioners benefit from a significantly lower Parish Precept than our neighbouring parishes."

The "drop hands" agreement also states SHDCRA will not bring the claim to court in future.

The council's costs of £30,000 were covered by insurance. SHDCRA has not made its costs public.

The proceedings were the latest round of a lengthy dispute over who owns part of the 600-acre common at Brancaster, which is managed by the National Trust (NT), which leases the car park to the golf club.

The club keeps 60pc of the revenue from the car park, while the NT and parish council each receive 20pc.