Fresh concerns have been expressed this week about plans to turn this boatyard in Highbridge into a development of 95 homes.
At a meeting last night (Wednesday), town councillors raised concerns about access to the site and questioned the type of properties being proposed – eighty five 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses plus a further ten 1-bedroom flats.
As first reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com here, the application for outline planning permission is centred on land to the west of 67 Clyce Road, which is currently used as a boat yard and storage area for motor homes.
Cllr Bill Hancock said: “The developers of sites like Brue Farm and this one are potentially in line to make big fortunes without there being much real benefit to Highbridge.”
“We need to see new jobs being created in the town and better infrastructure and facilities to support the extra homes.”
Cllr Allan Miller added: “The idea of using Smith Way as access to this site for almost 200 vehicles is just ridiculous. I cannot think of a worse road anywhere else in the whole district for a new development at the end.”
Cllr Helen Groves added: “I don’t we should approve any development of this size if it is not in the overall interests of the town.”
Town clerk Eileen Shaw said the ‘draft heads of terms’ had not been seen by the town council which outline the commercial benefits to the town from the plans.
Sedgemoor District Council’s Doug Bamsey and Stuart Houlet also attended Wednesday’s meeting to outline their viewpoint on the plans for outline planning permission.
Mr Houlet said: “The site has been specifically identified in both the Local Plan and now the adopted Core Strategy which recognizes the wider benefits of the development of this site. Therefore, the principle of development is accepted.”
“It is acknowledged that there are some detailed issues that need to be addressed as part of the planning application process.”
“However, there are a number of clear benefits that will arise from the scheme which alongside other brownfield sites and the strategic urban extension at Brue Farm will provide an important opportunity for transformation of the town.”
