30/06/2025
We found this interesting, don't forget Loddon Town Council and Kay Mason Billig wrote letters supporting a planning application for the marina in which KMB falsely stated the camp site had been in constant use for over 10 years.
Raymond Hollocks: A Trail of Dereliction and Controversy in the Norfolk Broads**
As someone who has been involved with this for the last few years, I have been constantly asked for comment by individuals and press, for legal reasons I was unable to comment on the latest round of Hollocks disregard for the Broads, now the gag is off! Remember this is only round one!
Raymond Hollocks, a 72-year-old failed businessman and pub owner in Norfolk, UK, has become a polarizing figure in the Norfolk Broads, entangled in a decades-long feud with the Broads Authority (BA) over his management of several sites, including the Beauchamp Arms, Loddon Marina, and the now-shuttered Berney Arms. Far from the thriving enterprises Hollocks claims to champion, these properties have deteriorated into derelict eyesores under his stewardship, plagued by planning violations, allegations of neglect, and reports of being frequented by drug users. This article delves into the negative narrative surrounding Hollocks, painting a grim picture of his impact on these once-valued Broads landmarks.
# # # A Legacy of Neglect and Decay
Hollocks’ properties—the Beauchamp Arms, Loddon Marina, and the Berney Arms—stand as stark examples of mismanagement and disregard for the Broads’ protected landscape. The Beauchamp Arms, a remote pub on the River Yare, is a shadow of its former self. Once a quaint stop for boaters, it now languishes in disrepair, its garish bright blue exterior clashing with the Broads’ natural aesthetic. Static caravans, unlawfully placed on the site, contribute to a cluttered, rundown appearance, while the surrounding grounds are littered with debris and poorly maintained structures, including a dilapidated workshop and unpermitted decking.
Loddon Marina, another of Hollocks’ ventures, fares no better. This once-functional marina, intended to serve boaters in the southern Broads, has fallen into a state of neglect, with crumbling infrastructure and unauthorized static caravans dotting the site. Reports suggest the marina has become a haven for unsavory activity, with locals claiming it attracts drug users who exploit the isolated location and lack of oversight. The site’s decay stands in stark contrast to the Broads’ reputation as a pristine natural haven, drawing criticism from residents and visitors alike.
The Berney Arms, now closed, is perhaps the most tragic casualty of Hollocks’ tenure. Once a beloved riverside pub, it has been abandoned, its buildings left to rot in the remote marshes. The derelict site, accessible only by boat or a long walk, has reportedly become a magnet for vagrants and drug users, further tarnishing its legacy. Hollocks’ failure to maintain or repurpose the property has left it a blight on the Broads’ landscape, fueling resentment among those who remember its heyday.
# # # Planning Violations and Legal Troubles
Hollocks’ disregard for planning regulations has been a consistent theme across his properties. Since acquiring the Beauchamp Arms in 1997, he has repeatedly clashed with the BA, racking up enforcement notices for unpermitted developments. In June 2025, Hollocks and his son, William, pleaded guilty to offenses related to two static caravans at the Beauchamp Arms, which violated 2021 enforcement orders to remove them. This followed years of defiance, with Hollocks initially denying the charges before admitting fault, underscoring a pattern of flouting authority.
At Loddon Marina, Hollocks’ use of static caravans for residential purposes—without planning permission—prompted further BA action. In August 2024, he lost an appeal to retain the caravans, which he claimed housed tenants, including vulnerable individuals. These caravans, far from providing legitimate accommodation, contribute to the site’s derelict state and attract undesirable related illicit activities. Similarly, at the Beauchamp Arms, Hollocks lost appeals over unauthorized structures like lighting columns and workshops, cementing his reputation as a serial violator of planning laws.
The Berney Arms, too, has been mired in Hollocks’ regulatory battles, with past enforcement actions targeting unpermitted developments before its closure. His insistence on operating outside the rules has drawn accusations of arrogance, with the BA stating, “The landowner has committed the same breach of planning regulations at three locations now,” highlighting the scale of his non-compliance.
# # # Noise, Nuisity, and Community Backlash
Hollocks’ attempts to boost revenue at the Beauchamp Arms through loud music events, such as drum and bass nights, have further alienated the local community. Events like a July 2023 gathering with 400 attendees and 32 DJs generated noise complaints from residents as far as 2.5 miles away, with South Norfolk Council stepping in to investigate. The pub’s reputation as a nuisance has grown, with reports suggesting these events draw crowds that include drug users, exacerbating the site’s association with undesirable activity. A temporary event license for a February 2024 event was denied, reflecting the community’s frustration with Hollocks’ management.
# # # A Personal Vendetta or Justified Enforcement?
Hollocks has repeatedly claimed the BA is waging a “personal vendetta” against him, framing himself as a victim of bureaucratic overreach. However, this narrative crumbles under scrutiny. The BA’s enforcement actions—targeting illegal caravans, unauthorized structures, and aesthetic violations like the Beauchamp Arms’ bright blue paint—are consistent with its mandate to protect the Broads’ unique environment. Hollocks’ refusal to comply, coupled with the dilapidated state of his properties, suggests his troubles stem not from persecution but from his own unwillingness to adhere to regulations.
The Beauchamp Arms, Loddon Marina, and the Berney Arms have suffered under Hollocks’ ownership, their decline a direct result of his failure to invest in proper maintenance or secure necessary permissions. Signs posted at the Beauchamp Arms blaming the BA for its struggles have been met with skepticism, with many viewing them as an attempt to deflect responsibility for years of neglect.
# # # A Threat to the Broads’ Legacy
Hollocks’ properties, once vibrant parts of the Norfolk Broads, now stand as cautionary tales of mismanagement. The Beauchamp Arms, with its peeling paint and littered grounds, is a far cry from the welcoming pub it once was. Loddon Marina, overrun with unauthorized caravans and reports of drug activity, has lost its appeal as a boating hub. The Berney Arms, left to decay in isolation, serves as a haunting reminder of Hollocks’ inability to preserve the Broads’ heritage.
The financial strain Hollocks cites, including £10,000 in legal fees from a 2018 case, is seen by critics as self-inflicted, a consequence of his persistent disregard for planning laws. His claim that removing caravans would render tenants homeless has been undermined by the BA’s assertion that some caravans were unoccupied, casting doubt on his motives. The closure of the Berney Arms and the precarious state of the Beauchamp Arms signal a broader failure to adapt responsibly to economic challenges, leaving a trail of dereliction and community discontent.
# # # Conclusion
Raymond Hollocks’ tenure as a Norfolk Broads businessman has been defined by controversy, legal battles, and the deterioration of once-cherished sites. The Beauchamp Arms, Loddon Marina, and the Berney Arms—now derelict and reportedly frequented by drug users—stand as testaments to his neglect and defiance of planning regulations. Far from the victim he claims to be, Hollocks’ actions have drawn justified scrutiny from the Broads Authority and resentment from a community weary of noise, decay, and disruption. As the Broads struggle to maintain their protected status, Hollocks’ legacy is one of squandered potential and lasting damage to this cherished landscape.
