Welcome to the site of the Friends of Hunstanton Pier & Green, sponsored by The Hunstanton Civic Society. All Residents and Visitors are invited to participate by sharing their opinions and observations on the comments page when it goes live on this site. The objective of this website is to raise awareness of Henry Styleman le Strange's vision 1845 and to preserve his initiative to promote Hunstanton as a picturesque, successful and vibrant town for the benefit of all the Residents and Visitors alike. Henry's vision was no short term plan, as can be demonstrated by the 999yr term of the Lease, subsequently bequeathed to the town in 1955 by Hamon Le Strange. Stewardship of the Pier and Green was conveyed to the then UDC, now held in trust by BCKLWN. A further objective is to promote and preserve the Green as a central focal point for town activities and to consider a new Pier to complement the many regeneration proposals currently under consideration for Hunstanton, whilst preserving the history and character of the town.
Hunstanton
Green
The panorama that Hunstanton's Green affords, is an unequalled and a valued amenity, eloquently described as
"the sunset coast" everyone should make a point of experiencing a stunning sunset summer or winter!
When stewardship of The Green was transferred in 1955 to the UDC, it was no mistake or whimsy that specific conditions were attached to that conveyance, including a covenant that no building should or could be erected on the
Green, other than a modest Pier entrance as existed and was permitted at the time, but that the Green with ornamental gardens should be maintained. The Pier and Green are linked by way of
a Covenant, encapsulated in the conveyance of 1955, and attached to the Pier
Lease. The term of 999 years in the Lease clearly implied in perpetuity.
Hunstanton Pier
Hunstanton Pier, like many other piers, became a natural focal point and a key attraction. Permission for the Building of a Pier was enshrined in an Act of Parliament 1868, creating The Hunstanton Pier Company. As the
Pier was 'landed' on the Green, land owned by the Le Strange Estate, Henry Le Strange provided an Indenture and a Repairing Covenant that were both restrictive and having onerous impositions, a fact recognised by the yearly rent of
£1.
The Le Strange bequest was conditional that a Pier be maintained at all times together with the roads thereto. It is from this date onwards that the perceived future of The Green and Pier become inextricably linked with a further unique consideration, that the beneficiaries of the
Lease and Covenant are the Residents and Visitors of Hunstanton.
The Council's role as Landlord becomes a custodial role with responsibility to keep, maintain and by definition to protect.
Current Situation
To date we have a building on the Green in a conservation area, contrary to the
Lease Covenant, that purports to be a Pier entrance to a non-pier.
Recently, and despite considerable objections, the Council neutered the
Lease by relieving the tenant of their make and maintain requirements of a
Pier. Hunstanton is deprived of both the possiblility of a Pier and of its unique panoramic views to
the detriment of you, the beneficiaries, in an area situated in one
of the most desirable and valuable positions in the town in return for a
mere £1 a year rent and a modest supplemental rent to account for
the further encroachment of the overhanging nature of the building.