Car park plans for Heathlands Social Club in Blofield Heath

Heathlands Community Centre and Social Club in Blofield Heath is set to get more than double its current number of parking spaces if an application to Broadland District Council is approved.

The Heathlands Community Centre underwent a major refurbishment in 2019 (Image: Google)

The plans aim to turn part of the grassland around the car park into an access for vehicles and a hardstanding area, rather than the boggy mud there at the moment.

This will see the number of parking spaces more than double, from 34 to 70.

Paul Newstead, Conservative district councillor for the Blofield and South Walsham ward, said that the problems with the parking are down to the popularity of the site.

Paul Newstead is the Conservative councillor for Blofield with South Walsham (Image: Broadland District Council)

"Heathlands Social Club has been very popular and there isn't much else in the area like it," he said.

"Lots of people have been travelling to the site to play sports on the games pitches.

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"Other than the car park, however, the only place to park is along the side of the road, which can be pretty busy and parking here can be dangerous. 

Cars parking along the road have caused increased concerns for local residents (Image: Broadland District Council)

"Drivers were also driving onto the grass at the site and making it look a mess. 

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"They are currently working to get some grants for the work but the club is doing really well."

As well as a thriving community hub and sports ground, the current car park is used as a preferred drop-off and pick-up area for parents of children at Hemblington Primary School, which is just around the corner.

The original car park was extended in 2011 to increase the parking from eight to 34 spaces, but the planning application says that this is no longer enough to cope with the large volume of traffic using the site.