They persuaded the council not to lease Boal Quay to British Ports Authority, which would have ruined the appeal and the residents' quality of life.
Resident Power opposed an entirely inappropriate housing scheme on the old Central Tyre depot which would have added to the parking problems, and in its place has seen a development more in keeping visually with surrounding buildings and which also includes parking.
The Friars' Community Group saw off, despite the best efforts of the Council Planning Department, an entirely disproportionate and inappropriate scheme of 6 housing blocks, which would have made the whole site look akin to Soviet post-war Brutalism architecture.
A group of local people organised themselves into an association to protect a large area of land known as Harding's Pits, thus preserving it from future development for the benefit of local people, although this has been under threat with the council wishing to renege on a 25 year lease.
Since the inception of the Friars' Community Group, we are now involved with negotiations with the police at Local Action Group Level, we inspect planning applications which affect the area and distribute details, we publish an Occasional Newsletter, members also get an interim Members Briefing, we are included in negotiations with Norfolk County Council, we conduct periodic Environmental Audits, we host public meetings, we are included in forming the transport plans for the local school, we attend and support the Town Centre Forum, we represent members interests in concerns they individually have, we have representation on the Nora Consultative Committee, and we take an active role in many other community activities.
If you are reading this and have a concern about where you live, and would like help setting up your own group, we would be happy to give advice.
 Unbelievably
there were a considerable number of pubs in the Friars at one time. Today there
are two in different parts of the Friars, both sell excellent beer and have a
traditional atmosphere.
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It is fortunate that already developers are choosing to work with us rather than against us.
Working with us does open the gates for an easier way of life for us all.
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