Plans to regenerate Burnham-On-Sea’s seafront as part of multi-million pound plans to upgrade the town have been put on hold, Sedgemoor District Council revealed on Monday evening (August 4th).
Doug Bamsey, Corporate Director at Sedgemoor District Council, told a meeting of town councillors that the Esplanade is no longer included in the plans to regenerate Burnham.
“A major upgrade was planned for the Esplanade, but that has been put on hold awaiting suitable funding opportunities,” he told councillors during an address to update them on the current state of play.
He added that the implementation of the ‘regeneration masterplan’ had been divided into five separate projects to help with seeking external funding. These cover the River Brue Link, Burnham Town Centre, Marine Cove, Cultural Quarter and Esplanade.
.Regeneration in Burnham and Highbridge – the latest:
Doug Bamsey, Corporate Director at Sedgemoor District Council, gave an update on the latest ‘state of play’ with the regeneration of Burnham and Highbridge on Monday evening…
Burnham Town Centre
“This is being progressed as part of the Civic Pride initiative. It is currently awaiting funding decisions from the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and from the Department Of Culture, Media and Sport ‘Sea Change’ initiative for coastal towns. Discussions are being held with Somerset County Council about the most effective way of managing the project once funding is in place.”
Marine Cove
“An application has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund under the ‘Parks for People’ initiative. Competition for this funding is fierce and we are currently in discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund about ways of strengthening the bid, including setting up a ‘Friends of the Park’ group in advance of any lottery decision. An application has also been made to the Viridor Credits scheme for an additional £16,000 of match funding. We are also asking people to register their support for the project by signing an online petition.”
Cultural Quarter and Princess
“Progression of the business plan for the proposed expansion of the Princess was put on hold during preparation of the ‘Sea Change’ bid. Work on the business plan has now restarted and a meeting was held last week [as reported here] with representatives of the Community Centre Committee to discuss their current requirements. A meeting of the full steering group is being arranged. The preferred option is the landmark scheme drawn up by Nigel Grainge, at a likely cost of £5million. A robust options analysis will be necessary to support bids for funding the landmark project and will also provide a fall-back position should the current financial climate make the preferred scheme unviable.”
The Esplanade
“A major upgrade was planned for the Esplanade, but that has been put on hold awaiting suitable funding opportunities.”
River Brue Link
“This has been completed.”
Highbridge Market
“Draft proposals for the mixed-use redevelopment of the market including new uses for the former Highbridge Hotel are being devised by the owner. This is likely to be the subject of community consultation later this year.”
The Levels and Moors
“Confirmation has just been received that the community-led bid for the Levels and Moors has been successful in attracting funding of £1.8m spread over six years from SWRDA subject to the agreement of a delivery plan. The area covered covers Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge and provides for economic and social projects, such as responding to climate change.
Rosewood Farm
“Implementation of the open space. Ongoing consideration of options to deliver remediation of former landfill sites and the provision of open spaces is continuing. The district council has identified it as a ‘key deliverable’ for 2008/09.
Potential redevelopment of Morlands, Highbridge
“We have worked towards the renewal of the Morland Community Hall, which is linked to other potential for community gain at the early stages of consideration. Community involvement will be the key.”
