Residents in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge will be able to find out about the brand new plans to regenerate the fire-ravaged former Highbridge Hotel site during a special event today (Thursday).
Sedgemoor District Council is holding a drop-in session in Highbridge Community Hall in Market Street between 3-7.30pm when the plans will go on show.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported here last month that hotel owner Derek Mead had unveiled plans to build 59 residential dwellings at the old cattle market site to include 23 three-bedroom homes, 31 two-bedroom homes and 5 two-bedroom flats.
He has also proposed that the hotel building itself will be redeveloped into 2 studio flats, 5 4-bed flats plus new accommodation for the YMCA and a public access multi-use games area.
Council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “As with all planning applications, local residents, community groups and other interested parties will have the opportunity to formally comment on the detailed development proposals during the usual twenty one day formal planning consultation period. Local views will be taken on board by the council as it decides whether or not planning approval should be granted.”
“All parties recognise that a complex and high-profile project such as this will be of interest to local residents and other interested parties. There will be a drop-in session on April 4th at which visitors will be able to find out more about what is proposed, ask questions of the developers, the land owner Mead Realisations, officers from Sedgemoor District Council and other organisations involved in the project. This session will take place before the closing date for formal planning comments. A list of frequently asked questions will be produced to help with understanding the entire scheme.”
She added that the drop-in session is not to consult whether certain elements are in or out as the application has been submitted as an entire scheme. It will be considered on its merits by the Town and District Planning Committees.
Visitors to the drop-in session will have the opportunity to complete a form to either support or object to the scheme, together with their reasons. This can also be done on-line through the council’s planning website using the reference number 11/13/00028.
The Highbridge Hotel has been derelict since a huge blaze occurred in April 2008 and negotiations about its future have been ongoing ever since.
