Norfolk archery club's application given go-ahead for range

Norfolk Bowmen, an archery club based in Weston Longville, applied to demolish existing storage buildings and rebuild a new indoor archery range on Rectory Road. 

In the wooded area of the property are old buildings where the club, between Dereham and Norwich, intends to undergo the development. 

The proposal involves removing the existing structures and replacing them with a new building to accommodate an indoor archery range, meeting room, storage and toilet facility. 

Broadland District Council has approved plans for an archery club to undergo work for a new archery range. (Image: Google Maps) READ MORE: Fakenham Racecourse - members seek more value for membership

The hope is that the new development will improve the existing on-site facilities and provide members with year-round ability to enjoy the sport. 

The site also has an existing access, car parking area and shooting range, which forms the open part of the site to the east. 

To the west lies Willows Farm, a neighbour who objected to the plans.

They said: "The property is a residential property but currently unoccupied. The building of this new development is totally out of character within the agricultural neighbourhood.

The existing building at Norfolk Bowmen's premises on Rectory Road. (Image: Ingleton Wood) "Rectory road is also busy with commercial, domestic and agricultural traffic, which would
already put the road at capacity.

"This part of the road has a hazardous bend at which there have been numerous accidents, and is poorly signed.

However, with no other objections, Broadland District Council disagreed with the neighbour's concerns.

Broadland District Council said in a planning document: "The area is characterised by open skylines, scarce settlement pattern and diverse rural landscape with a strong sense of place and peace.

The club has three years to undergo the development. (Image: Google Maps) READ MORE: Holkham Estate submits bid to go green with solar panel plan

"The design to build a large single-storey gabled building will be vertically cladded in oak fibre cement cladding with a brickwork plinth, standing seam roof and composite windows with a wood effect.

"It is considered that this material approach would achieve an acceptable quality finish like typical agricultural buildings."

Broadland District Council approved the application, adding the proposal will not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the surrounding open countryside.