Published: August 27, 2015
Council backs worried residents over controversial Burnham bar plan
Town councillors last night raised formal objections over plans to open a new cocktail bar in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea following a petition opposing the proposals from over 70 residents.
The owner of Unit 2 at Chapel Street, pictured, has applied to Sedgemoor District Council for full planning permission to convert the premises into new cocktail bar which would also offer e-cigarette products, known as vape products.
Residents and business owners in the area say they are concerned that the bar could create extra late night noise and anti-social behaviour around the premises, which would open 10am-11pm on weekdays, 10am-1am on Saturdays, and 12 noon-10.30pm on Sundays. However, the owner has defended the proposals.
At a meeting of the Town Council’s Planning Applications Committee on Wednesday evening (August 26th), councillors voted unanimously against the proposals.
Cllr Phil Harvey told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are not against new business, but this is a very inappropriate location for a licensed premises, close to residential properties with late opening hours.”
Among the local businesses to have expressed opposition to the plans is nearby estate agent Greenslade Taylor Hunt. Jeremy Bell says the firm is worried about late night issues and added: “We do not feel that this use blends in with other similar uses in this area of the town, which is supposed to be a conservation area. We also feel that hours of opening late at night would disturb many residential occupiers in this part of the town as there are numerous first floor residential flats in the vicinity.”
James Lim from nearby Kyffins Health Foods, who is among those objecting against the scheme, welcomed last night’s decision. “We are very pleased at this week’s objection from the Town Council. We are very concerned about overlooking and a loss or privacy, the health and safety of our family living here, road access and traffic generation in this tiny one-lane street, hazardous materials and smells.”
John Edwards at nearby Material Needs is also among those objecting. “We consider it totally inappropriate and undesirable that a cocktail bar that will also sell vape products be permitted here.” He went on to raise concerns about late night noise, undesirable behaviour and safety issues.
Sedgemoor District Council is currently welcoming comments on the application – reference 11/15/00058 – until September 1st.
