Town councillors last night (Wednesday) demanded that property developers pay larger contributions towards new schools and health facilities in Highbridge as it was claimed the town is unable to support hundreds of proposed new homes.
The comments came as councillors considered plans by Gaia Partnership and Wessex Water to construct 102 new homes on land at the western end of Newtown Road in Highbridge, shown above.
Members of the Town Council’s Planning Applications Committee expressed fears that Highbridge’s schools are already full and that transport infrastructure is being stretched – even without the 102 extra homes and 550 others soon to be built at nearby Brue Farm.
Cllr Helen Groves said: “Evidence suggests that these new homes will be sold to new residents entering the town, which will swell the population further. We desperately need new school places and better transport to support them.”
She added that it would be an “utter betrayal of our childrens’ future” to allow the development to proceed without a substantial contribution from developers towards new schools in the town.
Cllr Chris Williams agreed, saying the town has a “desperately under-provided provision for families.” He said education must be the number one priority for contributions and that keeping the numbers of new flats to a minimum in Highbridge is also key.
Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton added: “I don’t believe the potential to develop brownfield sites first should be lost and I would like to see co-operation from all interested parties to achieve the benefits of development. With this in mind, we should request substantial funds towards much-needed infrastructure in the towns for education, medical facilities and better transport.”
Deputy Town Clerk Denise Emery said that the council would be seeking “a sizable sum” from the developer if the Newtown Road proposals go-ahead.
It was noted that Hallam Land Management, the developer of the 550-home Brue Farm site in Highbridge, which was approved last March, is paying £200,000 in community contributions towards improved facilities.
The Newtown Road plans will now be referred to Sedgemoor’s Development Control Committee for further consideration. The site is located next to the controversial Clyce boatyard development besides the River Brue. Sedgemoor granted those plans for 85 homes approval last June despite a petition against the scheme being signed by 91 people who cited concerns about the additional strain that the new homes would put on the town’s schools, roads and health surgeries.
