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Published:
September 26, 2006
Burnham-On-Sea
taxi company's bid to keep town centre office rejected
A
retrospective planning application to turn a shop in the centre
of Burnham-On-Sea into a taxi office has been turned down by planners
this week.
 Members
of Sedgemoor District Council's Development Control Committee
decided on
Tuesday (September 26th) that enforcement action is also
needed at the premises, pictured right, in Abingdon Street.
Their
decision comes after the application was submitted on a retrospective
basis for the continued use of a former shop on the north side
of Abingdon Street as a taxi booking office.
The
applicant had advised planners that there would be no more than
three staff in the office and a maximum of four customers. He
added that two drivers are employed and that there are bedsits
above the office, but that no taxis would be permanently parked
outside the premises.
If
they were waiting for jobs, they would be asked to park on the
ranks or in the car park opposite the office, he said. The applicant
also claimed that the radio system had a licence and that there
was no interference to neighbours' electrical equipment.
However,
while Burnham town councillors had no objections regarding the
application, they had requested several restrictions be placed
on the premises. Firstly, that because Abingdon Street is a mixed
residential/business area, some restrictions on the operating
hours of the business should be imposed.
Secondly,
town councillors wanted a condition restricting the number of
vehicles in the interest of highway safety and the reduction of
traffic congestion. Thirdly, the town council noted that at one
time there were signs advertising refreshments were available
from the premises. "The council would not want to encourage
an independent refreshment business at this location, and would
like a condition that refreshments may only be supplied for staff
and waiting customers," said a spokesman.
 Two
letters of objection from nearby residents were also received
by planners, claiming that the office represented a commercial
enterprise in a residential area, and that it was generating radio
interference.
They
also added that Lynton Road is being used as a taxi rank, that
Abingdon Street is already full to capacity in respect of parking
facilities, and they also raised concerns about future increases
in the use and number of taxis.
Sedgemoor
District Council's Case Officer, Con McStay, recommended refusal
and this was endorsed by district councillors at a meeting of
the Development Control Committee on Tuesday afternoon.
"The
proposal would give rise to noise and disturbance from vehicles,
drivers and customers extending into unsocial hours which would
be detrimental to the amenity of occupants of nearby residential
properties," said Mr McStay.
"The proposed development would be likely to encourage the
parking of vehicles on the public highway, which would interrupt
the free flow of traffic and, thereby, add to the hazards of road
users at this point."
Councillors
rejected the application and decided that enforcement action should
be started on the owner of the premises.
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