What We Do
The Town Council’s responsibilities include maintaining the Local Facilities;
The Library Annexe Office and Rear Hall, and the Staithe Public Conveniences.
The Town Council is also responsible for the following public open spaces; Allotment Gardens, Kitten's Lane Play Area, Skate Park, Old Hockey Field, Broadland Meadow Play Area.
The Council also maintains the War Memorial, Streetlights and Street Furniture such as Dog Bins, Flower Towers and planters, Bus Shelters, Litter Bins, Notice Boards, the Town Sign and benches at Loddon Staithe, Pyes Mill, Farthing Green and Church Plain.
The sport facilities; the Loddon and Chedgrave Playing Field and the Tennis Courts are jointly owned by Loddon Town and Chedgrave Parish Councils and managed via the Loddon and Chedgrave Playing Field Committee.
PLANNING MATTERS
The Town Council is consulted on planning applications received from South Norfolk Council and the Broads Authority.
The planning authority (which is usually South Norfolk Council) allows a Parish / Town council 21 days to respond to a planning application. The application is circulated to Cllrs, and should it be requested, it will be considered by the Town Council at the next Council meeting. Members of the public are welcome to attend meetings and can speak during the public participation item on the agenda to give their views on a planning application. They are also encouraged to provide their own comments on South Norfolk Council's planning pages.
If there is not a Council meeting within the 21 days, South Norfolk Council often extend the time-limit. Whilst the overall decision is the planning authority’s, the Town Council’s local knowledge, combined with an understanding of the planning process, means that its views are more likely to be heard by the planning authority, so long as the Town Council provides valid planning ‘material considerations’.
The Town Council’s comments can be found on South Norfolk Council's Planning Pages.
FREEDOM OF LODDON AWARD
The Town Council presents an annual award; ‘The Freedom of Loddon’ to someone nominated by the public who has made a notable contribution to the community of Loddon, usually presented at the September or October Council meeting or the summer fete.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
Loddon is well known for its beautiful Christmas lights, and the Town Council is delighted to once again fund the festive displays on Church Plain and at the Staithe Car Park.
The Council also organises the installation of Christmas lights on properties throughout the town, thanks to the generosity of residents and businesses who kindly allow us to display lights on their buildings. The Council is also pleased to support Loddon's popular Victorian Evening, although the event itself is organised independently.
Following the success of last year's arrangements, we will once again be operating an opt-out system for Christmas lights on properties. If you are happy for lights to be installed on your property, you do not need to do anything.
If you do not wish to have Christmas lights installed on your property this year, please email admin@loddontowncouncil.gov.uk by 16 November 2026.
The lights will be displayed from late November or early December until early January 2027.
Thank you to everyone who helps make Loddon look so special at Christmas
REMEMBRANCE PARADE
The Town Council works closely with the Royal British Legion to ensure that Loddon has an annual Remembrance Parade with an organised road closure to support the event. There is also an opportunity to remember those that lost their lives in service to their country at the War Memorial, in the grounds of the Holy Trinity Church in Loddon.
STREET LIGHTING
The Town Council has adopted several streetlights from South Norfolk Council. These lights are primarily situated in Cedar Drive, Drury Lane, Elm Close and Leman Grove. If you wish to report a fault and are unsure of who has responsibility for that particular streetlight, Norfolk County Council is aware of ownership and directs the streetlight enquiries accordingly. Streetlight faults can be reported to Norfolk County Council.
SMALL GRANT
Loddon Town Council offers small grants to local groups & organisations.
Applications will be considered for any activity which will be of benefit to some or all of the residents of Loddon or to improve the environment in Loddon. The level of the grant must be commensurate to the benefit gained. The grant should be towards the cost of events or purchases required for a group and not usually for running/everyday costs (unless it is running costs to assist a new organisation become established).
The Grant generally is for £100, although applications can be made for a higher amount. The Small Grants Policy is available to read here.
The application form is available here
LITTER PICKERS
Loddon Town Council offers litter pickers, Hi-Viz and waste bags to individuals that wish to volunteer to litter pick in the town. Please contact the Council to become a member of the group.
CHET VALLEY COMMUNITY LARDER
The Community Larder opened in the Library/Town Council lobby on the 01 September 2022. This community initiative was originally supported by Loddon & Chedgrave Councils, Chet Valley Churches and Loddon Co-Op, but is now solely run by a volunteer group administered by Loddon Town Council.
The community larder is available every Saturday between 1.00-2.00pm and every Monday between 12.00-1.00pm in Loddon Library.
📌 If you are in need and would like to register, please complete our online form here:👉 https://shorturl.at/9qYnY
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. 💛
During these sessions, £1 food bags will be available to collect. You can register via this link for the food bags.
This service is open to residents of the Chet Valley (Loddon, Chedgrave, Hales & Heckingham, Langley & Hardley, Sisland).
The donation shelves & fridge are still open and we appreciate any donations you may wish to make, including cash donations, which can be handed to volunteers or the Town Council office.
BLUE PLAQUES FOR LODDON'S HISTORICAL LANDMARKS
In 2025, Loddon Town Council obtained the consent from several property owners to install blue plaques on their properties detailing the history of the historical buildings in Loddon. At present, ten plaques have been drafted. Further plaques may be added in due course.
The plaques are currently sited at the following locations:
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Former Town Hall - now part of the Swan Public House
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Fox and Hounds -private residence Beccles Road
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Loddon Water Mill - private residence Bridge Street
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Former Bank House - Farthing Green Apartments
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The Ancient House - The Lawnes Beauty Clinic
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The Jolly Farmers - Loddon Garden & DIY
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The Red Lion - Gordon Barber Funeral Directors
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Brownes Garage - private residence adjacent to Farthing Green
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Napp's Bridge - small bridge on Beccles Road
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The Chestnuts - private residence Low Bungay Road
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The Coopers Shop - private residence High Street
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Old Sale Ground - The Swan Public House car park
A booklet, written by Carol Webb, has been published by the Town Council detailing the locations of the blue plaques and the history of each building. The booklets are available to purchase from Loddon Town Council Office for £3 or can be viewed here.
The Council would like to express its grateful thanks to Cllr Julie Appleby and Carol Webb for their work and commitment in delivering this legacy project.
LOVE LODDON COMMUITY GROUP
The Love Loddon Community Group, established and led by Cllr Julie Appleby, is a thriving volunteer initiative that has transformed the town’s floral displays. Thanks to the commitment of its volunteers, Loddon benefits from vibrant, well-maintained planting that enhances the local environment, supports community pride, and creates a positive impression for all who visit.
BIODIVERSITY
Loddon Town Council is committed to protecting and enhancing biodiversity within our community and ensuring that the Council meets its statutory responsibilities in relation to biodiversity.
To support this, the Council has appointed a Biodiversity Officer who provides advice and guidance to the Council on matters relating to biodiversity, nature conservation and the management of green spaces.
The Biodiversity Officer works with the Council to ensure that biodiversity considerations are appropriately taken into account when making decisions, developing projects and managing Council-owned land and assets.
This ensures that the Council continues to meet its statutory biodiversity duties and actively considers opportunities to protect, maintain and enhance biodiversity within Loddon.
The council's Biodiversity Policy can be found here:
