The Planning Inspectorate has this week overturned a council decision that rejected the creation of a new development of 11 flats in Burnham-On-Sea.
The inspectorate has given a controversial green-light to Newton Lodge in Berrow Road to be extended into a complex of 11 self contained-flats.
It comes despite Sedgemoor District Council rejecting the planning application last year amid concern that the development would create extra traffic along a busy stretch of Berrow Road and be “detrimental” to the area. The plans attracted nine letters of objection from local residents.
But the owner of the property made a formal appeal to the Planning Inspectorate and has just heard that she has been successful in getting the verdict thrown out.
The Inspectorate’s Olivia Spencer has concluded the “proposed development would have no significant detrimental effect on character and appearance” and that local residents would “not suffer significant loss of privacy or sunlight”.
She adds: “I understand local residents’ concerns for driver and pedestrian safety in Berrow Road. However, the Highway Authority has advised that the proposed use would not result in a significantly increased number of vehicle movements to and from the site.”
“I have seen no firm evidence that would lead me to disagree. I have no basis therefore on which to conclude that the proposal would result in an increased danger to road users.”
The extended property will comprise of six one-bedroom flats and five two-bedroom flats plus 18 car parking spaces.
A spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council told Burnham-On-Sea.com at the time: “The design of the proposed extension is unsympathetic and out of character with the vernacular character of the existing building, and contrary to several policies in the Sedgemoor District Local Plan.”
