Proposals to regenerate Burnham-On-Sea town centre have been given a £25,000 boost this week following a decision to allow the expansion of a local garden centre.
Sanders Garden World has been granted approval to go ahead with a 3,200 square metre expansion of its Brent Knoll store by Sedgemoor District Council.
A so-called ‘Section 106 planning agreement’ has been struck between the council and the garden centre’s owners to provide £25,000 for Burnham town centre.
The council’s planning officer, Stuart Houlet, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This application was originally raised by Sanders Garden World back in 2008 and granted at the time subject to a ‘106 agreement’.”
“Getting that agreement in place has taken time to finalise. It includes £25,000 towards the regeneration of Burnham to mitigate against the impact of the extended garden centre.”
“The agreement also includes limitations on certain goods being sold at the garden centre and a travel plan to minimise extra vehicle use.”
Burnham Mayor Martin Cox told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “It is welcome news that these extra funds have been earmarked for the good of our town centre. We will think carefully about how the money is spent, ensuring that we continue to enhance the shopping area in Burnham for shoppers.”
Alex Turco, who campaigned for the funding in 2008, added: “Whilst it has taken over five years to come to fruition, the reasons Burnham Town Centre will benefit from this welcome money is because of the strong position taken by the Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade against the Sanders Garden World expansion in 2008 when this planning application was approved, coupled to the determined efforts of the former Burnham Civic Pride group to secure regeneration monies for the Town Centre.”
The £25,000 will be held by Sedgemoor Distict Council and will be used for town centre regeneration initiatives with the Town Council.
The council is already working on £440,000 of improvements in the town centre, due to be completed next year, using funding from Tesco, the Town Council and former South West Regional Development Agency.
