Lessingham and Hempstead with Eccles Parish Council

09/02/2026

From RWE - the owners of the windfarm project currently in process. Changes to the public information event dates.

Dear Councillors,

I am writing on behalf of the Vanguard West, East and Boreas Offshore Wind Farms project team to provide an update on the public information events scheduled for 26th February and 7th April in Happisburgh.

The events of 26th and 7th have been cancelled, and we will now hold one public information event on Tuesday 24th March, from 10:00 – 19:00 at Happisburgh Pavilion, next to the Wenn Evans Centre.

We have taken the decision to reschedule the events while we complete a routine refresh of our construction plans, which may result in some updated information becoming available to share locally. While postponing engagement activity is not something we do lightly, this type of milestone review is a normal part of offshore wind farm development as projects move through different stages.

Taking this step helps ensure that any information shared with communities is accurate, up to date and presented in a clear and consistent way.

We appreciate that local residents and councillors may have been planning to attend on the original dates, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. We will be using our e-newsletter and project update system to inform registered contacts about these changes but would also be grateful if you could share this information via your own communication channels to ensure we reach as many residents as possible.

We continue to maintain a list of planned events on the project website at this link. https://norfolkzone.rwe.com/news

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any further questions or queries.

Edward Robb
Stakeholder Manager
Vanguard West, East & Boreas Offshore Wind Farms
[email protected]
07773 661068

Here you can find the latest project news and recent press releases on Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone as well as upcoming and past events.

09/02/2026

There have been recent reports of up to quad bikes damaging the dunes primarily to the south of the Bush Estate, accessing via North Gap.

These have been reported to the police and our councillor, Richard Price. If you see or hear anything then please do contact the police. Whilst they may not be able to do anything at the time, building up a log of incidents is very helpful to them.

[email protected] (Stalham beat officer)
or
[email protected] (anti social behaviour)
and/or
[email protected] (for the wildlife related element)

OR if you don't want to contact them direct, do please contact any of the Parish Council members that you may know or email the clerk on [email protected]

21/01/2026

Could You Be Our Next Parish Councillor? 🌿

Following a recent resignation we need another councillor and are looking for someone who cares about our community and wants to help keep our community kind, connected, and well-supported. No special experience is needed — just a willingness to listen, share ideas, and work together with a small, friendly Parish Council.

We have meetings once every 2 months so it's not too demanding.

Being a Parish Councillor isn’t about politics — it’s about people. It’s about helping with the small things that make a big difference: local events, village facilities, community projects, and being a supportive voice for residents.

If you’d like to get involved, want to learn more, or think this might be a good fit for you, we’d love to hear from you.

✨ Everyone is welcome — come join us and help shape our community’s future!

For more information or an informal chat, please get in touch with [email protected] and we can take it from there.

21/01/2026

Following on from flood gates not being closed on the 2nd January and the sea water ingress, impacting roads and properties in Eccles, the Environment Agency had a meeting with PC members and our County Councillor, Richard Price.

The EA suggested reducing the tide level trigger for gate closure by 20cm. We received the following notification.

"We have added an operational threshold to review gate closure. In addition to our existing trigger to close gates when the forecast tide level is 3.0m we will also close the gates when predicted levels are at or above 2.8m AOD and winds of force 7 or greater are forecast as coming from the North, North East or North West. This adjustment provides greater resilience for the types of spray incidents that have affected the community.

Based on historic data, the previous level only trigger of 3.0m AOD typically resulted in the gates being closed around six times per year, whereas the revised threshold could mean approximately 10–12 closures per year on average, depending on wind direction and speed. The important point to note is that a lower water level will trigger closure when wind strength and direction have been taken into account.

We will monitor how well this revised approach works, and if further changes prove necessary, we will make them. Feedback from the community will play a very important role in helping us understand how effective the new arrangements are and where refinements might be needed.

To help allay fears I also highlighted the availability of the real time tidal gauge (see link below), which allows residents to see the actual sea level as it rises and falls. This can provide reassurance during unsettled conditions e.g. to see whether the tide has gone past it’s peak. I strongly encourage everyone to register for the Environment Agency’s Flood Warning Service, (see link below) which issues alerts when there is a risk of internal property flooding. Additionally, please be assured that in any major coastal event - such as the 2013 surge - widespread communication via national and local media, social media, and EA flood warnings would also support community awareness.

Finally, I want to emphasise that if anything does not work as intended, or if residents experience further issues, please contact us straight away. This is very much about working together, listening to local experience, and adjusting our approach to ensure it meets the needs of Eccles residents."

EA emergency hotline 0800 80 70 60
https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/station/6005
https://www.gov.uk/get-flood-warnings

Sign up to get flood warnings for your home or business in England, Scotland or Wales, sign in to your flood warnings account, and find out how to check flood risk in Northern Ireland

07/01/2026

PLEASE NOTE: INFORMATION FROM ENVIRONMENT AGENCY RE FLOOD ALERTS
We would like to inform you that members of the public/residents are not permitted to operate our floodgates under any circumstances. It is very important for the safety of those operating the gates, our operatives and for the general public that they are only operated by authorised Environment Agency staff.

If residents feel that the gates need to be closed, please call the EA Incident Hotline 0800 807060. A message will be passed to the Flood Incident Duty Officer who will assess conditions (including safety of our operatives) and decide whether to send a team to enact closure.

The Floodline 0345 988 1188 is for information general flood advice for homeowners and active flood alerts/warnings only. In situations such as this the EA Incident Hotline 0800 807060 is the number that should be used as important real time information will then be passed to the Flood Incident Duty Officer.

23/11/2025

🌿 Could You Be Our Next Parish Councillor? 🌿

We’re looking for someone who cares about our community and wants to help keep our community kind, connected, and well-supported. No special experience is needed — just a willingness to listen, share ideas, and work together with a small, friendly Parish Council. We have meetings once every 2 months so it's not too demanding.

Being a Parish Councillor isn’t about politics — it’s about people. It’s about helping with the small things that make a big difference: local events, village facilities, community projects, and being a supportive voice for residents.

If you’d like to get involved, want to learn more, or think this might be a good fit for you, we’d love to hear from you.

✨ Everyone is welcome — come join us and help shape our community’s future!

For more information or an informal chat, please get in touch with [email protected] and we can take it from there. The next meeting is 9th December and you would be most welcome to attend and see just how easy and supportive it is.😃

20/11/2025

Info re abnormal load movements for the wind farm project. Contact details for more information.

27/02/2025

These should be posted through doors soon.

February 2025 update

Dear local resident,

As you may already know, our contractors are currently undertaking groyne replacement
works in your area. Due to weather and tidal conditions, over the next few weeks it will be
necessary for them to work overnight and during weekends, to ensure we can complete
work within the deadlines set by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). We sincerely
apologise for any disturbance this may cause and greatly appreciate your patience and
understanding. The groynes along this frontage help to retain beach levels that protect the
sea defence wall from erosion. This is essential to protect both people and property in the
area.

Kind regards,
Norfolk Asset Performance Team
The Environment Agency

14/02/2025

16/01/2025

We are, unfortunately, having to say goodbye to our current clerk. Therefore the position is now being advertised. Please see below for more details.

LESSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer

Lessingham Parish Council is looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person to fill the role of
Clerk to the Council and Responsible Financial Officer.

Main duties include:

Arranging. publicising and attending bi-monthly Council meetings. Meetings are currently on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm at Lessingham Village Hall;

Preparing agendas, documentation for meetings, and writing minutes;

Implementing the Council's decisions;

Acting as the Responsible Financial Officer including managing the Council's finances,
including preparing the annual budget, payment of invoices, reclaiming VAT, arranging insurance, running payroll, completing end of year accounts and the annual audit process;

Maintaining Council files and records;

MOnitoring and advising on local planning applications and communicating decisions;

Attending to correspondence on a day-to-day basis, including liaising with District and
County Councils, local organisations and the public as required;

Managing and updating the Council website and notice board;

Managing Council assets and arranging maintenance where appropriate.

Ensuring current legislation and procedures are adhered to by informing and advising the
Council and updating Council policies, processes and risk assessments;

Monitoring and updating the Council's key operating documents such as standing orders, code of conduct, GDPR etc and develop and produce policies as necessary
attending training as required.

Local Government experience and holding the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) is desirable but not essential. Support and training will be offered.

The post is for 3 hours a week and home based. The Council provides a laptop, expenses, and a working from home allowance.

The salary will be paid in accordance with experience and in line with the National Joint Council Salary Scale rates and will be up to SCP20 (currentily £16.37 per hour) dependent on experience and qualifications.

For further information on the role please contact the Clerk, [email protected] or call
01493 253041.

To apply, please email your CV and covering letter of application to [email protected].
Closing date Friday 14h February 2025