A bid to open a barbershop in a quiet cul-de-sac has sparked significant opposition from neighbours.
Ross Goodwin has applied to Great Yarmouth Borough Council to convert a garage on Laburnum Close in Bradwell into a one-chair barbershop.
The business would operate on an appointment-only basis with one customer visiting at a time.
The opening hours would be from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, with a maximum of eight to ten clients expected each day.
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In a letter to planning officers, Mr Goodwin’s agent said the single-customer set-up has proved manageable at his client’s current barbershop location in the town.
However, the plans are facing strong opposition from residents and officials, as well as Bradwell Parish Council.
Councillor Graham Plant, who represents Bradwell North Ward on the borough council, said the proposal is inappropriate for a quiet, residential cul-de-sac with existing parking pressures.
"There are plenty of empty shops in the borough for this kind of activity," he said.
Fellow councillors Carl Smith and Daniel Candon share his view.
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Some neighbours raised concerns that allowing a business to operate in the area could set a precedent, opening “a can of worms” for other residential properties to consider similar ventures.
One objector said: "If I wanted to live next door to a barbershop, I would have moved onto the local high street."
Another said he “definitely will not give any consideration for this ludicrous idea to go ahead”.
In response, Mr Goodwin has said he would strive to maintain a low-impact operation with minimal disruption to the neighbourhood.
He also mentioned the financial challenges facing small business owners and the high costs associated with renting commercial space.
“With the current cost-of-living crisis, it’s very difficult and costly to run a business from a rented shop,” he said.
Three letters of support have been submitted, pointing out that traffic from sports events at nearby Mill Lane field far exceeds any impact a barbershop might have.
The final decision on the proposal will be made by local planning officials.
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