Published: May 19th, 2007
Worried Highbridge residents meet councillors over flats scheme

Concerned residents met councillors on Friday (May 18th) to air their views on controversial plans to build two new three-storey buildings, each containing six flats, on green land in Highbridge.

The unpopular scheme to develop a large area of green land at Queens Square is due to be decided by district planners at their meeting on Tuesday (May 22nd).

Ahead of that crucial meeting, several members of Sedgemoor's Development Control Committee visited the site on Friday, as pictured, to assess how the development might affect the area.

Over 20 concerned residents also attended the meeting to express their views. It comes after an 82-strong petition and five letters of objection were sent to planners by local residents.

Town and district councillor Joe Leach, whose ward covers the site, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Friday's site visit was attended by 20 or so residents all of whom were against the proposal."

"Many green sites like this which are supposedly 'not used' are in fact regularly used by children to play on. Also, there's a serious safety factor here too - what if an ambulence needs to get access quickly, and the roads are blocked with so many parked cars?"

"It hasn't been thought through properly. There are more important things in Highbridge to worry about, such as getting more shops and jobs, to accommodate the current influx of people."

He added that several residents aired concerns about the new development increasing the risk of crime in the area.

"Mr Burden of Queens Square spoke on behalf of the residents and mentioned how the construction would create nothing but alleyways, which would be dangerous to local people, particularly elderly people, who would be using them alone," added Cllr Leach.

Town Clerk Eileen Shaw also read out a statement at the meeting on behalf on the town council, mentioning how the council feels the application represents "over-development".

She added that overcrowding and parking are among the issues that concern the council, in addition to a surplus of rented flats in the area.

A decision is expected to be made on the application, which has been made by Raglan Housing Association, on Tuesday afternoon.

Sedgemoor District Council case officer Rob Morgan has already recommended that permission is granted for the scheme.