Victoria Humphrey

South Norfolk Council refused Mr and Mrs Smythe’s application to convert former storage buildings off Pits Lane in Chedgrave, near Loddon, into two holiday lets. The council cited inadequate visibility and highway-safety concerns raised by Norfolk County Council, an unsympathetic design, likely harm to neighbouring residents from increased traffic and visitor activity, and the absence of a required Green Infrastructure and Recreation Mitigation Strategy agreement.

The former Bob Knights Butchers shop at 3A Market Street in Beccles has been placed on the market after 77-year-old owner Bob Knights retired, ending a 62-year career in the meat trade and more than 35 years at the shop. The freehold property, offered with its fixtures, fittings and equipment, has a guide price of £95,000 and will be sold through an online auction on September 10. The premises are marketed as a turnkey opportunity for a butcher, food business, investor or developer. Knights ran the family business with his children and was supported by a loyal local customer base.

Students in Beccles, Bungay and Loddon celebrated their 2026 A-level results, with many securing university places, apprenticeships or employment. Sir John Leman High School reported more top grades, an improved pass rate and a higher average point score; Taylor Hargreaves will study French and linguistics at Oxford, while Lily Flynn will study environmental science at Nottingham. Bungay High School marked the final A-level results in its sixth-form history after the government approved its closure because of declining enrolment, although all students who applied to university secured their chosen destinations. Langley School also reported strong results, including 32% of students achieving A* or A grades.

The Care Quality Commission rated Windmill Care Home in Rollesby inadequate across all five inspection domains and placed it in special measures after finding serious failures in safeguarding, care planning, risk management and resident support. The inspection followed a serious incident in which a woman in her 90s died after an alleged assault by another resident. The home’s management acknowledged the findings and said it had begun making improvements, while a male resident in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

East Suffolk Council refused permission for David Greenwood of Albion Properties to build 24 homes south of Vale Road in Thurton. Norfolk County Council and planning officers said the narrow, poorly constructed road and its junction with the A146 could worsen traffic safety. Other concerns included road noise, flooding, countryside erosion, urbanisation and insufficient biodiversity information. Although the scheme included eight affordable homes, the council judged those benefits modest and concluded that its adverse impacts significantly outweighed them.