Contentious plans to turn this newsagent in Burnham-On-Sea into a fish and chip takeaway have been approved by the district council this week despite opposition from several residents and the Town Council.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported last week how the owners of Avons Newsagents at 50 Oxford Street had submitted a formal application to change the use of the property from an A1 (retail) use to an A5 (takeaway) use, likely to be a fish and chip shop.
Three local residents and the Town Council’s Planning Applications Committee raised formal objections against the scheme, citing concerns about traffic and noise.
However, members of Sedgemoor District Council’s Development Control Committee approved the plans at their meeting in Bridgwater on Monday. They followed the recommendation of district council case officer Colin Arnold in approving the application.
A Town Council spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com that road safety is a potential concern at the site: “50 Oxford Street is on the narrowest part of this very busy street, and there is restricted visibility for traffic moving in and out of Dunstan Road. Members are also concerned with possible noise issues in this residential area.”
Three residents had written to Sedgemoor District Council to object, citing a number of concerns including potential parking problems on the double yellow lines and also extra litter, noise and food smells.
But planning officer Mr Arnold stated in his recommendation: “There are no valid grounds on which to refuse this application and it must be supported and encouraged, rather than losing another employment use.”
The opening hours will be limited to 11am to 10.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays and 4.30pm to 10.30pm on Sundays to help safeguard local residents from noise and disturbance during unsocial hours.
