Plans to convert a former Burnham-On-Sea night club into new flats have been given the go-ahead by town councillors.
The owners of the former Skye Bar in the High Street have submitted a planning application to keep the ground-floor amusement arcade and replace the upstairs club area with two 2-bedroom flats.
The proposals were supported by town councillors at a meeting of the council’s Planning Committee this week.
Cllr Andy Brewer said: “There are very few changes planned for the outside of the building and only minor changes inside.”
Cllr Helen Groves said she believes a lack of parking provision should be addressed, but Cllr Brewer said the proposals would be within planning regulations as there is town centre parking nearby.
Cllr Peter Clayton added: “I’m sure many residents will welcome the plans – I fully support them.”
Cllr Louise Parkin added: “I support it on the grounds that the plans are in keeping with our neighbourhood plan.”
Councillors supported the application on the grounds that it would create additional residential accommodation in the town centre, make use of an unused part of the building, and the fact that the plans are in accordance with Burnham and Highbridge’s Neighbourhood Plan.
The applicant, Demetris Demetrio, says in his application: “We propose the partial change of use from commercial to residential on the property. The second floor is currently vacant and has a floor space large enough for converting into two two-bed flats.”
“The proposal is based on the principle that a two-bedroom flat is the most looked-for type of property in the region and there is a need for more of this kind.”
“When compared with its close neighbours and surroundings, the High Street buildings are generally commercial on the ground floor and residential on the first floor, therefore this proposal does not go against the surrounding existing use.”
A final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council. Residents can submit comments on the application – reference 11/19/00051 – until July 20th, 2019.
