Angry town councillors have this week demanded an investigation into why work is underway to build 59 new homes on the former cattle market site in Highbridge while the nearby crumbling Highbridge Hotel on the same site remains untouched.
At a meeting of the Town Council’s Planning Applications Committee on Wednesday evening, councillors called for an investigation into Sedgemoor District Council’s conduct in setting up the so-called ‘106 planning agreement’ for the site.
The Town Council says it agreed with Sedgemoor last year that construction work on the 59 new homes could only begin if the hotel eyesore is re-developed at the same time.
But Cllr Helen Groves told the meeting: “They have gone back on the agreement by making changes to the ‘106 agreement’ without consulting us. I really don’t see how we can trust Sedgemoor again.”
Cllr Bill Hancock added: “It is disgusting how Sedgemoor has handled this. They have blatantly ignored the agreement made last year and are allowing the housing to go ahead while the hotel is left in this state.”
“It makes me livid. The general public must be told that this is all down to Sedgemoor District Council, not the Town Council.”
The Town Council had insisted last year that the redevelopment of the hotel must be phased with the delivery of the 59 affordable homes since a new MUGA (multi-use games area), meeting area and other facilities provided within the former hotel accomodation are the only community benefits.
The council is to ask Sedgemoor District Council to investigate the matter further.
Cllr Pat Burge, Chairman of the Town Council’s Planning Applications Committee, added: “I am very upset and concerned about how this has been handled by Sedgemoor.”
Pictured: Top, construction work underway at the site this week
