A group of Burnham-On-Sea residents fighting plans by a developer to turn a seafront property into a block of apartments say they are “hopeful” that the controversial scheme will be rejected following a two-day planning appeal hearing.
Allandale Road residents were at the town’s Princess Hall last week to listen to the hearing, which was overseen by the Planning Inspectorate.
Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in March how residents are angry at proposals to build a three-storey block of 14 apartments in place of a house (pictured below) on Burnham’s beachfront.
The scheme at 17 Allandale Road was initially turned down by Sedgemoor planners last summer but the owners appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and an inquiry held in Burnham’s Princess Hall has now been completed.
“Strong arguments were put forward against the scheme,” said Tom Ashton, who is one of the residents fighting the plans.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are very pleased with how it went and the way we presented our case.”
“The whole matter is now in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate and a decision is expected some time over the next few months.”
He added that the appeal’s inspector had visited the site at 17 Allandale Road to see the land for himself.
Several residents, including Mr Ashton and local solicitor John Palmer, spoke against the plans during the two day hearing – and the appellants also discussed their reasons for backing the scheme.
Moose Roper Limited, the developers behind the scheme, say the proposed building would “make a positive contribution to new housing needs in Burnham with a landmark building.” They added: “This is a necessary development meeting housing targets on a brownfield site, which in turn protects the countryside.”
Our photos show Allandale Road residents outside the Princess Hall during the appeal hearing and, above, the property which would be demolished to make way for the new flats
