The seven-year wait for the £1.8million redevelopment of the ‘eyesore’ Highbridge Hotel site is set to continue with talks ongoing between the YMCA and its contractors.
The long-awaited overhaul of the fire-ravaged building will see it transformed into a modern premises with 22 affordable flats for young people as well as new community sports facilities.
However, YMCA Somerset Chief Executive Martin Hodgson, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “All concerned are working hard to resolve the contractor’s proposals, but the risks involved are considerable and a false-start will not only disappoint, but would lead to delays during the construction period and a delayed completion date, and a significant exposure to increased costs to the YMCA.”
He added: “The works will commence when we are satisfied that the contractor’s proposals are compliant with the most immediate health and safety concerns with regard to the retention of the façade, and that those proposals satisfy the statutory obligations laid down by SDC as the Local Planning Authority.”
The redevelopment work was initially set to begin in February with the project due to be fully completed in the autumn of 2016.
The building has been derelict for over seven years since a huge blaze destroyed the Highbridge Hotel in April 2008 followed by several other smaller blazes.
The YMCA has outlined its plans for the development of the site on the hoardings of the hotel, pictured here
