Berrow Parish Council has this week submitted formal plans to Sedgemoor District Council to build a new earth mound – or bund – around the village green to prevent travellers from setting up camp there in the future.
Berrow Parish Council is requesting permission to form the 0.9m-high grassed bund around Berrow Green in Barton Road.
It follows several visits by large groups of travellers over the summer, pictured above, when they set up camp on the green.
The application covers: “the installation of a 3.5ft grass bank, to settle to approximately 2 – 2.5ft, along the front of the Village Green. The bank will have gaps to allow access to wheelchairs and buggies but will stop access for unlawful encampments.”
Sedgemoor’s Parks and Opens Spaces Development team has given its backing to the scheme, saying that it would not have any adverse impact on the recreation ground and would “ensure future use is not compromised.”
Berrow Parish Council Chairman Barry Kew, right, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We’re planning to install a 3.5ft grass bund around the village green to deter the travellers.”
“The cost will be £6-8,000, which is a huge amount to spend from public funds.”
“However, there’s plenty of support in the village for something to be done and we’re hoping to go ahead with the grass bund shortly.”
Comments are being welcomed by Sedgemoor’s planning department on the application – reference number 05/16/00026 – before the deadline of January 3rd, 2017.
Burnham-On-Sea’s MP James Heappey has also been looking into whether changes to the law could help local communities move the travellers faster in future.
Meanwhile, Burnham-On-Sea’s BASC Sports Ground has spent £2,500 on new measures at its entrance in Stoddens Road, as pictured below, following a summer influx of more than 20 travellers vehicles.
Pictured: Above, the new measures at the entrance to Burnham-On-Sea’s BASC Sports Ground
