Transformation of 'undesirable' part of King's Lynn planned

An "undesirable" part of a town and a Grade I listed building could be renovated if council plans go ahead.

The Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk wants to "rejuvenate and transform" its historic riverfront.

Alistair Beales, from the council, said improving King's Lynn and specifically the town's Devil's Passage will "clean up" the area.

Plans have gone on show at the town's Custom House where a lift and glazing could be added.

Mr Beales, the Independent Partnership councillor and cabinet member for business, said Custom House, which dates from 1683, would be taken "back closer to how it was when it was first built".

The plans would open it up and include glazing that "respects the building's history and enhances it, but makes a commercial use possible".

"How do you conserve something? You use it," he said.

An area by Devil's Alley would also be cleaned up as "it's pretty dirty and an undesirable area at the moment", he said.

It would be made into a public area, able to host pop-up events, would have a children's play area and would be "something for everyone".

"It will go from being a grubby, contaminated piece of ground to being a lovely green space with a bit of shelter and something to do," he said.

The budget has come from government levelling up funds.

Alan Usher wants to see the Custom House used by local people, ideally as a gift shop or gallery space, he said.

He was "unsure about the changes to the building" but was happy about a lift going in.

Lorraine Bewick hoped the building would be "kept open to the public and accessible" but believed adding a lift to the ancient building could be difficult.

Wendy Fisher said: "I'm actually really quite impressed by the whole thing."

As chairman of the King's Lynn Players, she said she hoped the group would be able to use the outdoor space for performances.

Another resident, Stuart Fisher, said: "It would create a use for the quay and bring people to the area and use an area that at the moment is derelict.

"It's a brilliant idea and so must better than what it is now."

Graeme Massie, the architect in charge of the project, said it was all about making changes with a "light touch" and opening up Custom House to be more "public facing".

He said the building could also have new electrics and removable flood gates.

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