A shellfish handling building aimed at helping a traditional north Norfolk industry has been given a boost by a key council grant.The long-awaited �500,000 scheme on Wells quayside has been in the pipeline for three years, but was held up when opponents tried to get the site designed a town green.

A shellfish handling building aimed at helping a traditional north Norfolk industry has been given a boost by a key council grant.

The long-awaited �500,000 scheme on Wells quayside has been in the pipeline for three years, but was held up when opponents tried to get the site designed a town green.

The row was settled when it went to a public inquiry and campaigners were defeated - with plans for an alternative green at nearby Tug Boat Yard flagged up instead.

A funding package, including �261,000 from the European Fisheries Fund, has been topped up by North Norfolk District Council which last night agreed to give a �32,995 grant that helps cover �31,000 of extra costs resulting from the project delays.

It will provide a building equipped with a freezer room cold room, packing and loading areas, along with a resurfaced quay landing area.

Clive Stockton told the council that talk of fishermen no longer being interested was nonsense as they had signed up to the revived project.

“I believe this project is essential to support fishermen in the Wells area” he added, while Peter Moore said it sat alongside the council's budget aims of trying to help local people through bad times.