Controversial plans to build 35 flats in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea were thrown out by the district council on Tuesday (October 29th).
Property developer Abracore wants to build 35 ‘retirement apartments’ in two blocks of three-storey buildings on the site of the former Tucker’s Garage in Victoria Street.
But at a meeting of Sedgemoor’s Development Control Committee, councillors gave a ‘thumbs down’ to the scheme with ten councillors voting against the plans, two abstaining and none in favour.
The Town Council’s Deputy Clerk Lorna Williams expressed the council’s concerns about lack of parking with just 19 parking spaces for the 35 flats while Alex Turco from nearby business, Positive Wealth Creation, also raised further concerns.
Cllr Bob Filmer, Chairman of Sedgemoor’s Development Control Committee, told Burnham-On-Sea.com after Tuesday’s meeting: “There was an overwhelming feeling from members that this was an unsuitable proposal with inadequate parking facilities.”
“While the county council says that eight spaces would be suitable for a nursing home, the applicants state this development would have been aimed at those over 55 so this is clearly not a nursing home. A normal development of this size would require 58 parking spaces, which is far more than the 19 proposed.”
“Councillors were also unhappy with the character and design of the proposed development, and the size in relationship to next door properties.”
Mr Turco told Burnham-On-Sea.com he welcomed the decision, but added: “Whilst I am pleased with the decision, the site needs redeveloping in the near future as it has been derelict for over six years. Members of the Development Committee gave clear feedback about what they could like to see for this site. The developer should listen to suggestions of more parking and a building design and size more in keeping with what is the most historic part of the Town Centre.”
Sedgemoor District Council previously rejected proposals for the site in July, but the developer said its new scheme had addressed the comments.
However, town councillor Peter Burridge-Clayton told a recent meeting of the council’s planning applications committee: “There are a few minor changes but our previous objections about the development being out of keeping and having too few parking spaces remain.”
The site was previously occupied by the former Tucker’s Garage, which was demolished six years ago, as we featured here.
