Burnham-On-Sea.com has obtained shocking evidence that proves 34 homes have been earmarked for the land currently occupied by Burnham’s swimming pool.
Campaigners battling to save the pool say these images – which have been leaked to Burnham-On-Sea.com by an anonymous source – “completely destroy” the argument from the district council that it is shutting the pool purely because it is making a £250,000 a year loss.
The plans were originally circulated among council officials in December 2006, demonstrating that plans to build on the site have long been considered.
They show that nine town houses, thirteen 3-bed homes, two 2-bed homes, and 19 1-bed homes are planned for the site in Berrow Road if the swimming pool does shut down.
Tom Ashton, Chairman of the Save Our Swimming Pool (SOS) campaign group, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “These images completely destroy the claim from Sedgemoor that there have been no discussions about building on the site of the swimming pool.”
“The council claimed the key reason for shutting the pool was budgetary reasons. We weren’t told that they planned to turn the site into a money-making venture.”
“I estimate that the 34 dwellings could each be sold for an average of £100,000 and this would generate £3.4 million. It is disgraceful.”
Sedgemoor District Council’s Executive Committee is due to decide on Wednesday (January 16th) whether the proposed closure goes ahead. The council claims the pool’s annual £250,000 running costs and £2m of repairs make the site too expensive to run, particularly in light of its £1.8m funding shortfall.
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