Controversial proposals to build a new mini golf course on this part of Burnham-On-Sea’s seafront were approved by district council planners on Tuesday (July 13th) – the first of two hurdles before the scheme can proceed.
Sedgemoor’s Development Control Committee narrowly voted in favour of giving the plans the go-ahead despite strong opposition from a group of local residents.
Now, Paul Chatwin, the entrepreneur behind the plans, will have to wait until next Wednesday (July 21st) when Sedgemoor’s Executive Committee will consider whether the actual lease of the land can be amended to allow building work to begin on the lawns next to Burnham Coastguard Station.
Mr Chatwin, pictured, said he was delighted that the scheme had passed the first hurdle.
Writing on Burnham-On-Sea.com’s forums, he said: “I thank those councillors who did their research and especially those who approved the plan. Thanks go to Joe Leach who took the time to attend the meeting today and to speak in favour of the application.”
Mr Chatwin added: “I have to say that I was shocked to see that some councillors sitting on the development committee hadn’t even bothered to review the proposal on their own Planning Portal. How someone can sit on a Planning Committee making crucial decisions which affect the whole area and not even look at the case files they have for the application is very worrying indeed.”
Seafront resident Ann Popham, who is one of those unhappy about the plans, told Burnham-On-Sea.com after Tuesday’s meeting that she was “very disappointed” by the council’s decision, but she is still “hopeful” that the scheme will not get the go-ahead when the lease of the land is discussed next week.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in February how Mr Chatwin wants to turn a grassy area of The Esplanade into a large, purpose-built golf park to act as a tourist attraction.
