INTRODUCTION

King’s Lynn and West Norfolk borough council are currently considering plans for the redevelopment of the river front. Unfortunately, although they have launched what they call a consultation it is not really fit for purpose, so I am offering some thoughts here.

1. PURFLEET – ST MARGARETS LANE

This bit of the river frontage needs least work. I like the idea of a restaurant boat in the lower Purfleet, and new lock gates. Any new buildings should be for mixed purposes – somewhere the thrives by day and is dead by night will be no improvement on the present. I would support creating new mooring – the pontoon jetty has been an unqualified success.

2. ST MARGARETS LANE – MILLFLEET

This area currently has no buildings open to the public, and this has been the case since Bradley’s closed down three years ago. I am not sure what is best for this area, but at the moment it is a stretch of river bank one walks along to reach other places and never a destination in its own right.

3. THE NAR LOOP

Treated properly this area could and should be a huge draw. I believe it’s existing characteristics should be enhanced to create a wetland nature reserve, with the southern boundary being on the far side of the Nar Outfall, to include within it the area that the cormorants favour.

4. BEYOND THE NAR LOOP

I have only one thing to say about this stretch, which is that it’s eastern boundary is marked by Hardings Way, a road that is only open to buses – and this should remain so – if you open it to cars you create a rat-run which will be disastrous for the area.

SOME PHOTOGRAPHS

I end with some pictures from in and around King’s Lynn…