The organisers of a major £1.6million project that aims to “breathe new life” into Burnham-On-Sea seafront and other parts of the town centre are set to hear shortly whether the town has secured vital funding for the scheme.
The Burnham Evolution Project aims to make the town more attractive for visitors and residents by modernising several public buildings and facilities.
Burnham and Highbridge town councillors are waiting to see whether their bid for £1,663,000 of funding from the government’s Coastal Communities Fund, the Hinkley Point Community Impact Mitigation Fund, and other funding bodies is successful.
. The ‘Burnham Evolution’ Projects in full:
Projects in the Town Centre are:
Creating a new ‘Community and Small Business Hub’ in the former Job Centre
Princess Theatre community enhancements
Project Co-ordinator (Implementing Burnham Evolution)
Destination Marketing
Feasibility and Design
Retailer Business Support
On The Esplanade, the ‘Public Realm Improvement’ projects are:
Creating a new Play Area on the South Esplanade
A new Trim Trail on the South Esplanade
Replace existing signposts
Seafront Sea Walk (1 mile S-N, mid-point and N-S start point signs)
Quarter mile distance markers
Refurbish or replace benches
Refurbish or replace bins
Replace lighting on lamp posts with column lighting on existing lamp posts and install decorative lighting in the long-term
Floor games
Seawall wildfowl art
Demolish and replace 3 x shelters in similar style and aspect (raised) to those along The Esplanade
Hinkley Point C Information Panel
Town Council Clerk Tatiana Cant told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “We are waiting to hear from the Coastal Community Fund, the Coastal Revival Fund, Sedgemoor District Council and EDF’s Community Impact Mitigation (CIM) Fund.”
“These should all come through during the next couple of months. We are hopeful of a good outcome.”
A decision on the £350,000 bid from EDF’s Community Impact Mitigation fund is due to be announced after West Somerset Council’s Full Council meeting on 21st November.
Sedgemoor District Council and the Town Council have teamed up with other groups, including Burnham Chamber of Trade, to work on the projects and compile the project’s Business Plan, which was unanimously approved by councillors back in June.
200 local residents took part in a consultation survey about the project in the Spring to feed into the Business Plan. In response to a question about whether there is enough in Burnham to attract visitors, 69% said no, while 30% said yes.
90% of responents said they think Burnham could make more of its seaside location and seafront, while 50% are absolutely in favour of refurbishing seafront shelters, 49% absolutely want new benches and bins, and 38% absolutely want improved lighting.
Regarding the use of the large tarmac area on the South Esplanade, 28% want raised flower beds, 36% want a play area, and 32% want a water feature, while 4% say it should remain the same as now.
Pavement games are absolutely wanted by 25% of residents, while artwork on the land-side of the sea wall is absolutely wanted by 25%. A trim trail of exercise equipment is absolutely wanted by 28% of residents.
Another question in the survey asked whether The Princess Theatre should be refurbished: 63% say yes and 37% responded no. The survey also has found 95% of respondents feel there should be more help for local small businesses.
75% of residents support the purchase of a vacant building in the town centre (such as the former job centre, pictured here) to meet Burnham Evolution’s aims, while 25% do not.
