Long-awaited work to clear up Burnham-On-Sea’s former Tuckers Garage site has finally started this week by its owners.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported here in July that the owners of the controversial site in Burnham’s Victoria Street had been ordered to tidy it up by Sedgemoor District Council.
A ‘Section 215’ enforcement notice has been issued to property developer Abracore, which owns the development site.
Nearby residents and business owners say the site in Victoria Street is an “eyesore and a health risk” with fly-tipped rubbish, dumped furniture and overgrown vegetation.
Vehicles were seen on Monday (September 30th) clearing the site of rubbish and there is now a possibility that development of the site into a block of 35 flats will also begin.
Town Council Clerk Sam Winter told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday: “The Town Council has for a number of years expressed concern at the risks presented by this vacant site in terms of safety and anti-social behaviour.”
“The Council is therefore pleased that action is being taken to improve its appearance and security but hopes there will be progress on some form of final development at the site in the near future.”
Sedgemoor District Council spokeswoman Claire Faun said: “The Section 215 notice requires proper maintenance of the land. It was issued on July 10th and the owners have three months to remove all rubbish, rubble, debris, excessive growth, furniture, tyres, abandoned builders materials etc from the site and dispose of it in a suitable manner.”
“They must also check the hoardings, secure the site; repair and replace the gates and inspect and monitor the site on a regular basis.”
The site was previously occupied by the former Tucker’s Garage, which was demolished 12 years ago, as we featured here at the time.
Abracore won approval in 2014 to build 35 retirement apartments in two blocks of three-storey buildings at the site.
It comes after Sedgemoor District Council had initially rejected the plans in 2013, but Abracore appealed against the decision through the Planning Inspectorate and got the judgement overturned to win outline planning permission.
Burnham-On-Sea.com has invited Abracore to comment on the latest work.
