A petition containing 1,300 names calling for two public gardens in Highbridge to be safeguarded from development was handed in to the Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, Councillor Jane Moreton, on Wednesday (16th December).
Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in October how campaigners had launched the petition amid growing concern that the Town Green and Jubilee Gardens could be sold off to developers by cash-strapped Sedgemoor District Council.
Cllr Andrew Gilling, Portfolio holder for Development Management, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Jubilee Gardens in Highbridge is an open space and is protected as such by Local Plan policies. If the Council were to ever seek to dispose of this land then it would need to be advertised for public comments under the requirements of the Local Government Act. There are no plans to develop or dispose of this land, it is already a protected open space.”
“The Council is very conscious of the need to bring forward a comprehensive strategy for Highbridge as part of the Local Development Framework. The Local Development Framework Core Strategy preferred Option, which is currently published for public consultation, sets out a draft Vision for Highbridge for 2026 which stresses that “the town will have seen a further upgrading of the built environment within the town centre and will be seen as a gateway to the surrounding natural environment and green spaces through the development of strong linkages…””
“It is also states that Supplementary Planning Guidance will be prepared by the council for “Highbridge to co-ordinate future development opportunities to assist the realisation of the key regeneration objectives for the town, the guidance will include details on a range of matters including public realm improvements.”
“We intend to consult the public on a draft Supplementary Planning Guidance in July next year to coincide with the publication of the next stage of the Local Development Framework.”
“The Council is very pleased that the community in Highbridge have been so successful in Britain in Bloom and the Council has been very pleased to work closely with the committee in their achievements and looks forward to working with them in the future.”
