Landowner heads to court in 25-year row with national park over static caravans
A man who owned two popular pubs and a campsite across a national park is fighting an authority which wants to remove the remaining two sites.
Raymond Hollocks, 70, had owned three prominent sites on the Norfolk Broads but, for the past 25 years, the Broads Authority (BA) has been engaged in a dispute with the pensioner.
Ever since Raymond bought his first boozer, BA has accused the man of breaching the same planning regulations.
Now the fight is going to court, as Raymond believes BA has a "personal vendetta" against him - something the authority denies.
The business owner has determinedly battled national park chiefs (Bruno Brown / SWNS)BA says it must protect the character of the waterways from unsuitable developments. Raymond bought his first Broads business, the Beauchamp Arms - located on the banks of the River Yare - back in 1997 and acrimony quickly followed.
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But the business owner later took on the Berney Arms further downstream - another once popular pub, which is now closed.
His third business venture in the area involved purchasing the Loddon Marina, a campsite in the picturesque town at the end of the River Chet.
BA argues Raymond broke planning laws with each of these developments.
A spokesman said: "The landowner has committed the same breach of planning regulations at three locations now and the Authority has no option but to take enforcement action against somebody flouting planning regulations so consistently."
Broads Authority says the static caravans built at the campsite aren't prohibited (Bruno Brown / SWNS)Raymond believes BA has taken away his trade.
He added: "It's heartbreaking what the BA have done to our rivers. It used to be a thriving place around here.
"By taking away my boat trade, they are now trying to penalise me for renovating the place to have a focus on accommodation and fishing to boost trade."
One of the earliest sources of controversy was the type of cladding the man used on the dock at Beauchamp Arms shortly after buying it.
Other tussles have followed - including the BA's disapproval of the colour he used when he painted the pub bright blue.
It has also objected to kerbing and lighting he has installed on the half-mile track to the pub from the main road, as well as an area of wooden decking in the pub garden, saying the necessary permissions were not secured.
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Raymond is engaged in protracted and bitter legal fights with the Broads Authority (Bruno Brown / SWNS)Raymond said: "We don't get the trade on this section, because the BA's focus is primarily on Oulton and the northern section.
"Beauchamp is special in so many ways, it has amazing energy and is in a beautiful and marvellous setting and I am very welcoming and would love people to come along here and sit and relax.
"I have the best intentions for this place and it is devastating the BA are not helping us run it."
One recurring theme in the disputes has been the use of static caravans at all three sites.
The installation of such structures is strictly controlled on the Broads and this has led to repeated clashes with the BA, which says the necessary permissions have not always been granted.
Arguments about the caravans - some of which house tenants of Raymond's - have raged for years, but now matters seem to be coming to a head.
In April, the BA issued an enforcement notice for the removal of two statics and a wooden building at the Berney Arms.
Then, last month, the organisation made the same order for two caravans at Loddon.
The landowner's feud with the authority began in around 1997 when he bought this pub, Beauchamp Arms (Bruno Brown / SWNS)The case which is most advanced, however, relates to the Beauchamp.
In August, Raymond is due at court accused of failing to abide by the terms of an earlier enforcement notice from the BA to remove two statics from outside the pub.
The man claims he was in Florida - where he owns another home - when the notice was served at the pub.
When he returned months later, there was no time to launch an appeal, he argues.
He has been threatened with court before, and says he is confident he can win the latest case.
Raymond said: "In 2018 I spent £10,000 on legal fees in a court hearing against the Broads Authority in one of the first enforcement situations.
"A week prior to the case they dropped their charges.
"The statics we are appearing in court over have been on the rating list [of rateable properties] since 2005 and used for staff accommodation and holiday lets.
"We will fight them and win it."
Raymond says BA is hampering his efforts to build viable businesses on the Broads (Bruno Brown / SWNS)BA insists it supports and promotes the Southern Rivers, and points to various campaigns and initiatives to bring more to these waterways.
A spokesman said: "Through our websites, social media and Broadcaster Magazine, the Broads Authority provides comprehensive visitor information on the best places to visit in the unique and beautiful southern rivers.
"We have also produced guides in Broadcaster and animated safety videos on how to safely cross Breydon Water.
"There is also our friendly and helpful team at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station who advise boaters on the best crossing times.
"In particular, the tranquil Southern Rivers are a mecca for paddlers, with some fantastic yards where you can hire canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards and lots of great local pubs, restaurants and cafes to fuel up at."
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