Long-awaited work to clear up Burnham-On-Sea’s former Tuckers Garage site has been completed and its owners have started building work at the site.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in July that the owners of the controversial site in Burnham’s Victoria Street had been ordered to tidy it up by Sedgemoor District Council.
A ‘Section 215’ enforcement notice was issued on property developer Abracore, which owns the site.
It comes after nearby residents and business owners said the site had become an “eyesore and a health risk” with fly-tipped rubbish, dumped furniture and overgrown vegetation.
But Abracore’s contractors have this week completed a clear-up of the site, as pictured here, and work has now begun on building a new development of 35 flats.
Abracore won approval in 2014 to build 35 retirement apartments in two blocks of three-storey buildings at the site despite local residents raising concerns about the lack of parking provision at the site.
Several residents and businesses have told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week that they fear the site will lead to even fewer on-street parking spaces being available in that area of Burnham.
The site was previously occupied by the former Tucker’s Garage, which was demolished 12 years ago, as Burnham-On-Sea.com featured here at the time.
Sedgemoor District Council had initially rejected the plans in 2013, but Abracore appealed against the decision via the Planning Inspectorate and got the judgement overturned to win planning permission.
Town Council Clerk Sam Winter has welcomed the clean-up of the site, telling Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The Town Council has for a number of years expressed concern at the risks presented by this vacant site in terms of safety and anti-social behaviour. The Council is therefore pleased that action is being taken to improve its appearance and security.”
