Lily-Mai's Bar and Grill forced to remove 'intrusive' vent

Lily-Mai's in Cromer erected a large flue that protrudes out of the Grade II listed building in New Street without permission in 2021.

But the move upset North Norfolk District Council, leading to a 12-month planning row with the local authority. 

Lily Mai's Bar and Grill in Cromer (Image: Newsquest)

The authority has given owner Andrew Hubbard just three months to take it down, calling it "unacceptably dominant and visually intrusive" and fearing it was harming the appearance of the surrounding area and historic building.

It follows a ruling by the Planning Inspectorate, the government official which provides over planning disputes, that upheld NNDC's refusal of a retrospective planning application in 2023.

This was also blocked because a requested assessment of the noise the vent produced was not carried out. 

Views across Cromer from the church tower (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Hubbard has appealed against the decision, saying the vent has been in "full working order" since 2021 and it is safer than a previous flue.

In addition he said he could not afford to conduct a noise assessment, as requested by NNDC.

He said: "Being asked to do a noise assessment is excessive and an excessive cost, a cost which I truly can't afford.

"This has been my worst year for business trade to date."

Another view of the flue outside Lily-Mai's in Cromer (Image: NNDC)

Despite these pleas, the inspector ruled that Mr Hubbard should fulfil the council's request and remove the structure.

The official said: "I conclude that the requirements of the notice do not exceed what is necessary in order to remedy the breach of planning control."

Lily-Mai's, which had previously been ordered to close early in 2022 due to six years of noise complaints from neighbours, is currently closed to customers.

In March this year, it said it has plans to reopen in the future.