Plans for a new restaurant in Burnham-On-Sea town centre have drawn objections from a group of residents at a council meeting this week amid concerns that it could create possible late night noise, smells and overlook onto neighbouring homes.
At a meeting of the Town Council’s Planning Applications Committee on Wednesday (October 31st), several residents voiced their concerns about the planning application to create a restaurant at 8-8A The High Street above Burnham Shopping Centre.
The applicant wants to build a new first floor extension to be used a family-friendly licensed restaurant and bar, as recently reported here by Burnham-On-Sea.com.
Andrew Cruickshank, on behalf of the residents of nearby Sunny Lawns, said concerns about noise, dust, food and smoking odours, disruption at night and overlooking into homes and gardens are their key worries. “It would be unfair and unreasonable for this application to succeed,” he said.
Another resident, Ann Popham, told the meeting that the proposals could generate noise, litter and late night disturbance.
However, Rajwinder Sansim, on behalf of the applicant Satnam Singh, who has been trading in Burnham for over three decades, responded: “I hear your concerns, but we will have good management in place to avoid problems such as noise or litter. Whenever there’s a problem, we will address them, just as we have done for the past 35 years.”
She added: “We want Burnham town centre to succeed – the High Street has to change and adapt to avoid being further hurt. We don’t want to see the town centre going downhill further with reduced footfall.”
Cllr Peter Clayton told the meeting: “We would normally welcome a plan like this but there are concerns here. It would be a shame to lose a new investment but we have to consider residents’ concerns. That said, the possible issues such as noise and kitchen odours could be worked out with controls.”
Cllr Nick Tolley said: “Burnham town centre needs investment and revamping but not at the expense of nearby residents who have lived here for years. I am sympathetic with the concerns of the Sunny Lawns residents and would like to see the planning issues inspected to see if they can be adressed. I would like to see a development like this at this site, providing it takes into consideration the residents.”
Cllr Louise Parkin said that the kitchen odour concerns could be overcome with charcoal extractor fans and frequent changes of cooking oil.
Cllr Andy Brewer added that he is concerned about inadequate plans for waste bins storage at the site.
The new restaurant would be fully licensed with opening hours of 11am until 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 11am until 10pm Sundays and Bank Holidays. If approved by council planners, the development will create six full-time and six part-time jobs.
Town councillors agreed to raise an objection against the plans, but the final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council.
The proposals – logged as reference number 11/18/00105 – can be viewed on Sedgemoor District Council’s website.
The applicant says Burnham Shopping Centre – which he also owns – will remain in place and is unaffected by the proposals.
