New illuminated signs are to be installed on both sides of Burnham-On-Sea’s historic Pavilion, despite conservation concerns being raised by Sedgemoor District Council.
The council has this week approved an advertisement consent application from John Holland Ltd, the owners of The Pavilion on Burnham’s Esplanade.
But the district council’s Conservation Officer, Charlotte Westwood, had recommended an objection against the plans.
She explained: “The Pavilion is located within the Burnham-On-Sea Conservation Area. The signage is both internally illuminated and externally illuminated which is an excessive amount of illumination.”
“These signs detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area to an extent that is unacceptable.”
But while she believes the proposals are contrary to Sedgemoor’s Core Strategy and the National Policy Framework, the Town Council lodged no objections or concerns and Sedgemoor District Council has this week given the plans the go-ahead.
The district council placed several conditions on the applicant, requesting that the external lighting only directly illuminates the application site and shall be fully adjustable “to safeguard residents from obtrusive light”. Also, the development must be carried out in accordance with the approved plans.
Burnham-On-Sea’s Pavilion was named as one of ‘the UK’s best tiny attractions’ by a national newspaper earlier this year, as Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here.
The Guardian newspaper ran a feature on ‘Little Britain: 10 of the UK’s best tiny attractions’ and named Burnham Pavilion – which is Britain’s shortest pier – at number one.
The paper says: “Nothing says British seaside like a pier, and as an example of British understatement, Burnham-On-Sea’s, at just 37 metres long, has no equal.”
