Burnham-On-Sea Town Council’s Planning Applications Committee gave its support to residents fighting a proposed new development of 69 homes on Tuesday evening (April 29th).
Councillors unanimously voted in favour of objecting against the controversial scheme to build a housing development on land to the west of Lawrence Close and north of Wallace Wells Road.
On Tuesday, residents filled the town council’s court room to hear the planning applications committee debate the application (as pictured above).
Councillors closely reviewed the plans – which have recently been revised by Persimmon to reflect six fewer homes – and assessed their original objections.
One of the committee’s members, Cllr Ken Smout, said: “All are original objections regarding overcrowding, out-of-keeping new properties, traffic issues and a need for contamination checks remain valid with the revised scheme.”
And Cllr Chris Williams added: “It’s far too dense a development for this site.” Committee chairman Cllr Peter Clayton took a vote and there was unanimous backing for the council to object to the proposals.
Sedgemoor District Council’s Development Control Committee will now have the final say on whether the scheme goes ahead during the next few weeks.
Nigel Kemp, leader of the residents’ action group, spoke during Tuesday’s meeting on behalf of the people who live around the site.
He said: “Residents are extremely concerned about the extra traffic that would be generated by a second substantial development in the immediate area.”
“Lawrence Close is not at all suitable for such an increased level of vehicular activity due to its narrowness and its block paved road surface. There are no pavements within the block paved areas and therefore existing residents will be put at risk.”
“Currently, service vehicles reverse up Lawrence Close due to limited manouevering space. The intended completion of the Frank Foley Parkway, the BT land and this proposed development will create immense congestion at the junction of Pepperall Road and Burnham Road. This is already apparent, especially at Bank Holiday and school times.”
Mr Kemp also said that residents fear the proposed site is out of keeping. “The proposed dwellings are in no way consistent with existing properties. Apart from brick, the colours proposed are terracotta, cream and one plot is even powder blue.”
“The existing properties are semi-detatched and detached two, three and four bedroom family houses with front and rear gardens, which provide a safe family environment. The proposed development of coach houses, courtyards and terraced houses are not at all in keeping with the neighbourhood and will cause overshadowing and loss of privacy.”
On the matter of density, Mr Kemp added: “Whilst recognising there are Government guidelines regarding density, the proposed development is too dense and represents over-development to maximise the site. This over-development will destroy the local community. The development will be taking a backwards step in social responsibility and possibly encourage crime. Further development to the North West of the site is in keeping with the rest of the existing area where planning proposals are for three and five bedroom detatched family homes.”
The residents also said they have concerns about environmental issues.
Our photos show residents at Tuesday’s meeting in Burnham; and the site of the proposed development.
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