Driveway piers and timber gates at 12 Manor House, Thorpe St Andrew

What was proposed

The application sought to rebuild brick driveway piers and install timber gates at an existing residential access.

“Planning Committee, 16 January 2026, agenda item number 7.1 1 Planning Committee 16 January 2026 Agenda item number 7.1 BA/2025/0313/HOUSEH 12 Manor House, Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew Report by Assistant Planning Officer Proposal Rebuild existing brick driveway piers and the installation of timber gates.”

“Description of site and proposals 1.1. The application site contains a Grade II Listed dwelling known as Manor House and annexe. The house sits facing the River Yare to the south and is accessed from the north off the Yarmouth Road in Thorpe St Andrew. The house is attached to neighbouring Grade II* Listed Walpole House and contains a northern wing, spanning off the rear of the building, towards (and abutting) the road to the north, containing the annexe.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site contains a Grade II listed dwelling within the conservation area, with several previous listed building, householder and tree applications.

“The nearest detached neighbours are, Manor Cottage, which sits to the highway and abuts the drive to Manor House and is also Grade II Listed and Manor Moorings (no.10) which sits to the immediate west of the application site. Both Walpole House and Manor Moorings have gardens which run immediately adjacent to the garden at Manor House. The site is within the Thorpe St Andrew Conservation Area. Site history 2.1.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because gates at the highway boundary could obstruct traffic and pedestrians, and the concern could not be resolved by conditions.

“Norfolk County Council, as Local Highway Authority (LHA), objects to the proposal on the basis that the gates would be positioned on/at the property–highway boundary onto the A1242 Yarmouth Road, which is identified by the LHA as a principal route carrying high volumes of traffic.”

“Planning Committee, 16 January 2026, agenda item number 7.1 9 sustained objection to the siting of the gate at/adjacent to the highway boundary onto the A1242 Yarmouth Road, on the basis that it would introduce an obstruction with the realistic potential for vehicles to wait within the public highway whilst the gate opens/closes, interrupting movement and resulting in harm to highway safety and network operation.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, followed by the ward councillor, who supported the gate for security and crime-prevention reasons.

The committee vote

The committee resolved to refuse the application by nine votes for and one abstention.

“A Member expressed sympathy with the antisocial behaviour issues raised but believed that the advice provided by the Highway Authority should be considered. Vic Thomson proposed, Gurpreet Padda seconded It was resolved by 9 votes for and 1 abstention to refuse the application.”

Minutes

Why it was refused

The gate’s position could make vehicles wait on the public highway, interrupt movement and harm highway safety and network operation.

“The proposed driveway gates, by reason of their siting on/at (or immediately adjacent to) the highway boundary onto the A1242 Yarmouth Road, would introduce an obstruction with the potential to cause vehicles to wait within the public highway while the gates open/close. This would interrupt traffic and pedestrian movement and would be detrimental to highway safety and the safe and efficient functioning of the local highway network.”

Officer report