A group of residents in Burnham-On-Sea who have been fighting plans by a developer to turn a seafront property into a block of apartments were celebrating on Wednesday (November 19th) after learning they had won their bid to get the controversial scheme thrown out by the Planning Inspectorate.
Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in March that residents of Allandale Road (pictured above) were up in arms over plans 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 hearing was held in Burnham’s Princess Hall in July and October.
This week, planning inspector David Isaac decided to reject the appeal by Moose Roper Limited, the developers behind the scheme, much to the delight of protesters.
Tom Ashton, who was one of the leading campaigners fighting the plans, told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday: “We are absolutely delighted by this decision. It’s come after many months of discussions and protests. Strong arguments were put forward against the scheme and the right decision has been made.”
Planning Inspector David Isaac explained why he had made the decision. “A wide variety of buildings can be viewed from the beach along the seafront at Burnham-On-Sea, including a number of three storey flat roofed buildings. However, the appeal site is located towards the northern end of the developed part of the seafront at Burnham, on a part of the seafront which I consider to be materially different in character from the part of the seafront that is closer to the town centre where the buildings are generally larger and densities higher,” he said.
“As a result of its flat roof design, the proposed new building would accommodate a third storey whilst being comparable in terms of height to the pitched roofs of some of the neighbouring buildings alongside which it would be seen.”
“Nevertheless, by involving the construction of a three storey flat roofed building of similar scale to the larger three storey flat roofed buildings further to the south, on a part of the seafront that is characterised by two storey dwellings and bungalows, I consider that the proposed new building would appear out of keeping with its surroundings on this part of the seafront.”
Mr Isaac added: “I have considered what the appellant has said about the proposed new building being viewed as a ‘bookend’ building in a similar way to the three-storey development at Quantock Court which is at the southern end of the seafront at Burnham-On-Sea. However, the existence of another building on the seafront to the north of the appeal site means that the proposed new building would not be at the end of the northern section of the developed part of the seafront. Furthermore, in my view, Quantock Court is a development that itself appears out of context with its surroundings and I do not consider that it would be a good example to follow.”
“I consider that the proposed new building, which the appellant has described as a landmark building, would be an unduly dominant building in the context of its surroundings. I consider that the proposal would also seriously disrupt the transitional character of this part of the seafront and thereby materially detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”
Moose Roper Limited, the developers behind the scheme, say the proposed building would have “made a positive contribution to new housing needs in Burnham with a landmark building.” They added that the property would have “helped meet housing targets on a brownfield site, which in turn protects the countryside.”
Our photos show Allandale Road residents and the beachfront property in Burnham at the centre of the planning appeal
