Plans to turn Highbridge’s former Canal House site into a modern new development of 29 flats have been given a ‘thumbs down’ by town councillors this week.
At a meeting of the council’s Planning Applications committee on Monday evening (April 16th), members lodged an objection against the scheme, saying it represents an “over-development and would be detrimental to the outlook of adjacent properties.”
The high-profile Market Street site, which is situated next to the Church Street roundabout, has been vacant for years.
Resident David Barrett, pictured, who lives next to the development site, said: “Something needs to be done with this site, but not on the scale of this application.”
Speaking at Monday’s meeting, he said he has “major concerns” about the plans, adding that the proposals represent “an over-development and would be completely out of character with other properties, with overlooking into adjacent homes, extra noise and disturbance, flooding risks, a lack of parking, plus a lack of access.”
The points were noted, but Cllr Andy Brewer said on the parking matter that the site would be providing the legally required number of spaces for 29 flats, although he “understands the parking pressures in the area.”
Highbridge district councillor Roger Keen also spoke at Monday’s meeting against the scheme, saying that plans represent “a gross over-development”.
He had a warning: “2 Market Street, adjacent this site, is an old property built pre-1900 and does not have any foundations. The whole wall rests on a row of bricks and excavating that wall for the parking area and any pile driving would probably critically de-stabalise the structural integrity of No 2, leading to possible collapse.”
He also cited an invasion of privacy due to over-looking into neighbouring properties, “inadequate” parking facilities and security questions in the proposed underground parking area.
Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton added: “I am concerned at how close this development would be to existing properties – I certainly wouldn’t want a property that close to my home.”
Cllr Nick Tolley said he is worried about the plans, adding: “The developer should be giving other residents who live there now the room to breathe.”
Cllr Brewer agreed, saying residents at 2 Market Street and at Island House are “entitled to a reasonable outlook and this development would be detrimental to them.”
While the town councillors have decided to object against the scheme, the final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council.
The applicant, local property developer Toni Hammock, discussed her plans for the site with councillors in February, as we reported here. “This site has been a thorn in Highbridge’s side for a long time,” she said. “Now, we have new plans to develop it.”
She explained that while permission was granted in 2010 for a mixed-use development of 14 flats and shops, that scheme was “commercially unworkable as there wasn’t the footfall.” New plans have therefore been drawn up without shops and a flats-only development.
