Kissing Gate at the entrance to the footpath by the Church
- Removal of the existing kissing gate
The Parish Council has been concerned for some time about the condition of the kissing gate. The wood is badly rotten and the structure has become increasingly unstable to such an extent that we are worried that it is unsafe for it to remain.
- Can the Kissing Gate be replaced?
Unfortunately there are a number of reasons which make it difficult to replace the gate including how to fix it to the church wall, which itself is in a fragile state, and the likely damage to the tarmac surface. We applied to the County Council for help and were shocked when we received the reply that the gate was not on the Definitive Map and should not even be there. In fact it is deemed an illegal structure!
In light of recent comment from 2 members of the public we sought clarification and this is the reply we received:
- Advice from Norfolk County Council:
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Highways agree with the advice given previously by Cllr Marie Strong. There is no legal reason for there to be a gate at this location as it is not recorded on the definitive map, nor is there a stock control need that we could authorise a structure under s147 Highway Act. As it stands the gate is deemed to be an illegal structure. However…. if there is sufficient evidence to show that there has been a gate in existence at this location pre-dating the 1950’s (which is when the definitive map and statement were created) then the parish council could apply to the Legal Orders and Registers team at Norfolk County Council to modify the map and statement to show the gate. If such an application was successful, then a gate at this location would be legal. |
- Call for evidence
So have you any evidence – for instance photos and documentation – showing that the gate predates the 1950s? If so please email it to [email protected] or give to the Chair of the Parish Council (Vanessa Thompson) by the beginning of March 2020 so that it can be presented at the next Parish Council meeting on 12 March.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the Parish Council Meeting on Thursday 12 March 2020 at 7 pm in the Social Club when the gate will be discussed.
