Opposition against plans to sell off Highbridge’s only town centre car park grew this week when worried town councillors voiced their concerns about the controversial proposals.
Doug Bamsey, Corporate Director of Sedgemoor District Council, explained at a meeting in Burnham on Monday evening (March 3rd) that the district council wants to sell off Bank Street car park, pictured, in order to raise money for regeneration projects.
“Without capital there is no scope for us to push forward with regeneration in the area,” he told Monday night’s town council meeting. “Our revenue budgets are under great strain this year because of our £1.8m funding shortfall, so the sell-off of some assets is essential.”
He added that the 3,083 square metre area of land is one of the least profitable car parks in the district and that the site has “development potential” for several multi-storey blocks of flats should it be sold.
A plan has even been drawn up showing how two blocks of flats could be built on the site in the future – click here to view Sedgemoor’s ‘potential development plan’ here.
Highbridge town councillors were unanimous in voicing their opposition to the plans.
Deputy Mayor Cllr Neville Jones lashed out at the plans, calling them “potentially catastrophic for Highbridge.”
“There is deep concern over this proposal and I am confident it would cause a great deal of harm to the town. Nothing should happen here until we know the future of the nearby market site.”
Cllr Derrick Cooper said he wanted detailed survey results published of how well the car park is used. “Only then will we know what the true impact on local businesses and people really is,” he said.
Cllr Joe Leach called the sell off a “ridiculous idea” and added that he is “extremely distressed” by the scheme. He added: “I find it quite ironic that Sedgemoor should be considering selling off the car park while trying to regenerate Highbridge at the same time.”
Concerns over more flats being built on the site of the car park worry Cllr Mike Mansfield, who said: “The people of Highbridge are fed up with all these new flats being built.”
Cllr Chris Williams has fears over the future of the public toilets at the site. “Will we lose them?” he asked.
Cllr Janet Keen added: “It is absolutely essential that we retain car parking spaces nearby to Bank Street.” She also questioned whether it would be possible for the grass area next to the Frank Foley statue to be designated a village green, thereby retaining it in its current format.
She also questioned whether money from the sell-off would go towards regeneration in Highbridge or Burnham.
The chairman of the Town Council’s Planning Committee, Cllr Pete Clayton, voiced fears about what would be built on the car park site.
“Have the prospective purchasers been told that a four storey block of flats is acceptable here even when it is not acceptable to us? Highbridge really does not need more flats,” he said.
And County Councillor Rosemary Parsons added that she has concerns for businesses in the area.
“To cut down car parking here in the middle of the town is just not right. Highbridge needs this car park.”
She added that the nearby Social Club could also be adversely affected by any sell-off.
Companies interested in buying the car park have until 12pm on Wednesday (March 5th) to come forward.
RELATED LINKS:
Council urged by Lib Dems not to sell off Highbridge car park
Anger over bid to sell off Bank Street car park
