Information on the emerging and previous masterplan that will guide regeneration in Hunstanton
Hunstanton Masterplan Public Consultation
Welcome to this public consultation on the Hunstanton Masterplan, which will guide the regeneration and future development of Hunstanton over the next 10-20 years.
Please take your time to read through the information on these pages before viewing the exhibition boards and completing a short questionnaire to help us shape the future Masterplan proposals.
Why are we doing a new Masterplan?
In 2008, Building Design Partnership were commissioned to produce a masterplan for Hunstanton. This work set out a vision for the town and identified key sites of opportunity for future development. This work was supplemented by further studies through to the Hunstanton Prospectus in 2017.
Since then a number of sites identified in the masterplan and the Prospectus have been developed, or are currently subject to planning applications for development. The Borough Council now wishes to update the masterplanning work to bring it up to date with current standards and to refresh the vision to make it relevant to 2025 and into the future. As part of this process, sites which have not yet been developed have been considered, and new objectives relevant to today have been identified.
The purpose of this masterplan will be to combine and update the existing masterplans for Hunstanton into one overarching masterplan which can inform future planning policy, and identify inward investment and future funding opportunities.
What is being consulted on?
The Masterplan is currently under development and consultation feedback will help refine the document in 2026. Following initial input from stakeholders and community groups across the town, we are seeking feedback on:
- Key Objectives for the Masterplan
- The emerging Strategic Spatial Strategy identifying opportunities across the town
- The emerging ideas for the Principle Masterplan Area around the town centre and promenade
- Town centre improvements and connections to the seafront
- Emerging ideas for a southern gateway to the promenade
How can I have my say?
The public consultation is being held from Monday 12 January 2026 to Friday 6 February 2026. Drop-in events will be held at the following times and places, with an opportunity to speak to the team developing the Masterplan:
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 15 January 2026 | 10am to 7pm | Hunstanton Town Hall |
| Monday 2 February 2026 | 10am to 7pm | Hunstanton Town Hall |
Exhibition Boards will also be available online below to support the online questionnaire. Once you have viewed the material, please tell us what you think by completing the short questionnaire or as a paper copy at the in-person displays. Exhibition boards and a paper copy of the questionnaire will be on display at the Town Hall following the first public drop-in (15 January 2026) throughout the consultation period.
What’s next?
After this public consultation, the feedback received will be used to refine the Masterplan, to ensure it reflects comments made by people living and working in Hunstanton before it is updated, finalised and adopted by BCKLWN.
The final Masterplan will be used to guide future funding, investment and policy for both short-term improvements and long-term regeneration ambitions for Hunstanton over the next 10-20 years. It will set priorities for projects coming forward in the shorter and longer term, which are likely to be subject to further consultation either before or after submitting planning applications, before they are brought forward.
About the Emerging Hunstanton Masterplan
Project Scope
- To combine and update existing masterplans for Hunstanton into one overarching masterplan.
- Align masterplan with emerging carparking strategy , flood defences and leisure centre review.
- Recognise the aspiration to create a multi season draw to the town, not just summer, utilising existing and underutilised property assets.
- Deliver a masterplan that can inform future planning policy, market engagement and inward investment opportunities with private sector and future funding opportunities created by Devolution.
The masterplan will set out the vision and ambitions for the physical regeneration opportunities and ambitions of Hunstanton and consider the appropriate future land use for sites in the town, active travel, public realm, highways, town centre access and connectivity needs over the next 20 years. Focusing on the town centre and sea frontage, but considering the wider urban area of the town, the masterplan will ensure that Hunstanton is a beautiful and high quality place to live – as well as to visit. The project will bring together and update opportunities identified from previous plans, strategies and stakeholder engagement, becoming the blueprint for Hunstanton, ready to respond to investment opportunities that may arise from proposals for devolution in Norfolk & Suffolk as well as leveraging private investment
To shape the draft masterplan, initial conversations are taking place during November with a wide range of local and statutory stakeholders, including parish and town councils, Hunstanton businesses, groups and local stakeholders in December and the wider public in the New Year.
Upcoming Milestones and Engagement
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| October to November 2025 | Masterplan development and workshops |
| November 2025 | Refine masterplan |
| November to December 2025 | High level engagement with statutory bodies (EA, BCKLWN planning, Historic England etc) |
| December 2025 | Refine masterplan |
| January to February 2026 | Public consultation |
| February 2026 | Draft final masterplan document produced and circulated for final consultation and comment |
| Spring 2026 | Presentation to Council |
For further information please email: economic.development@West-Norfolk.gov.uk.
About the previous Regeneration Masterplan
A masterplan to guide regeneration for Hunstanton's Southern Seafront and Town Centre was launched in 2008. Additionally, the southern seafront area was identified as a priority in the Hunstanton Prosperity Coastal Community Team Prospectus, which was endorsed by Cabinet in April 2017.
The Masterplan exercise was to assess the feasibility (development potential and viability) for mixed use redevelopment, options for public realm, vacant sites and underutilised sites within the study area. The masterplan was launched with a presentation to stakeholders in Hunstanton Town Hall in September 2008. It was formally adopted in November 2008. All four parts of the presentation, and it's appendices, can be downloaded from the link below:
View the Regeneration Masterplan presentation documents
The vision
The masterplan set out a vision of Hunstanton as:
- an active town
- a town that meets the needs of its residents and acts as a good local service centre
- a more attractive seaside destination, where visitors return, stay longer and spend more
- a town that respects its heritage, whilst looking to the future
- a town that makes the most of its setting and natural assets, linking town and seafront and emphasising the views
What the plan reviews
The masterplan reviewed key aspects of the functioning of Hunstanton as a seaside resort and local service centre, including:
- identifying potential development sites
- improving vehicle and pedestrian movement, public transport, access and parking for residents and visitors
- providing design guidance
- identifying areas for visual improvement and environmental enhancement, particularly in the public realm
2008 Regeneration Masterplan
You can view the 2008 Regeneration Masterplan below.