Residents in Burnham-On-Sea fighting plans by a developer to turn a seafront property into a multi-million pound block of apartments this week claimed ‘the character of the town’s seafront is at threat’ by the controversial scheme.
Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in March how residents of Allandale Road (pictured above) are 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.
Protest group Chairman David Jenkins told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “If this gets approved, the floodgates will open to similar modern developments all along the seafront.”
“This one decision therefore has the potential to harm the character of the town forever. The Edwardian character of this end of town is at threat.”
And fellow resident John Palmer explained there is a great deal of concern that the proposed flats development would be built just 7.5 metres from the beach.
“This would be completely unprecedented and very damaging to the appearance of the seafront. Other homes are set back around 20 metres from the sand,” he said.
He and fellow residents have drawn a map (pictured below) to back their claims and illustrate the distance that existing properties are from the beach.
Resident Jack Mackie agrees: “There’s no residential building anywhere in Burnham that’s ever been built so close to the beach as this one proposed here. This scheme simply cannot go ahead. If it does, it will lead to many other similar planning applications all along the seafront, damaging the views of nearby residents and completely spoiling the overall appearance of the town.”
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 will be held at 10am on Tuesday July 29th in Burnham’s Princess Hall.
The residents say they have been “bowled over” by the support of local people, with strong backing for their petition.
Mr Jenkins added: “I would urge all those who support us to come along to the inquiry hearing and let the Planning Inspectorate see the strength of feeling there is against this scheme.”
Moose Roper Limited, the developers behind the scheme, argue the proposed building would “make a positive contribution to new housing needs in Burnham with a landmark building.”
“This is a necessary development meeting housing targets on a brownfield site, which in turn protects the countryside.”
Our photos show Allandale Road residents and the property which would be demolished
