Fresh fears have been raised that jobs could be lost when a business park in Highbridge is demolished to make way for over 60 new homes.
We first reported last year that members of Sedgemoor District Council’s Development Control Committee had approved the re-development of Morland Industrial Park, leading to concerns that the existing firms based there could have to lay off staff.
Helmglade lodged proposals with the council to build 62 affordable homes through Property Link and the firm is holding a meeting on February 27th to give businesses an update on the scheme and hear their relocation requirements.
Neil Close of C&H Carpets and Flooring, which employs 21 people at the site, said there are too many housing developments and too few sites for businesses to offer jobs in the town. He added that there has not been enough information about relocation dates or the proposals to re-home firms.
Property Link said in a statement this week that businesses have known since 2009 that they would have to re-locate and would be given six months notice. It added that it does sympathise with the businesses and will do everything it can to help them.
Tina Gray of Highbridge Residents Association previously told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “To put more dwellings into a deprived area without putting any extra infrastructure in place first is a bad thing. And to actually remove business premises and businesses to make way for more dwellings is a crying shame and can only add to more problems in a deprived area.”
The meeting will be held on February 27th at 11am at Morland Social Club.
