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Published:
July 17, 2008
Protesters
say Burnham could be 'harmed forever' by flats scheme
Residents
in Burnham-On-Sea fighting plans by a developer to turn a seafront
property into a multi-million pound block of apartments this week
claimed 'the character of the town's seafront is at threat' by
the controversial scheme.
Burnham-On-Sea.com
was first to report in March
how residents of Allandale Road (pictured above) are up in arms
over plans to build a three-storey block of 14 apartments in place
of a house (pictured below) on Burnham's beachfront.
 Protest
group Chairman David Jenkins told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "If
this gets approved, the floodgates will open to similar modern
developments all along the seafront."
"This
one decision therefore has the potential to harm the character
of the town forever. The Edwardian character of this end of town
is at threat."
And
fellow resident John Palmer explained there is a great deal of
concern that the proposed flats development would be built just
7.5 metres from the beach.
"This
would be completely unprecedented and very damaging to the appearance
of the seafront. Other homes are set back around 20 metres from
the sand," he said.
He
and fellow residents have drawn a map (pictured below) to back
their claims and illustrate the distance that existing properties
are from the beach.
 Resident
Jack Mackie agrees: "There's no residential building anywhere
in Burnham that's ever been built so close to the beach as this
one proposed here. This scheme simply cannot go ahead. If it does,
it will lead to many other similar planning applications all along
the seafront, damaging the views of nearby residents and completely
spoiling the overall appearance of the town."
The
scheme at 17 Allandale Road was initially turned down by Sedgemoor
planners last
summer but the owners appealed to the Planning Inspectorate
and an inquiry will be held at 10am on Tuesday July 29th in Burnham's
Princess Hall.
The
residents say they have been "bowled over" by the support
of local people, with strong backing for their petition.
Mr
Jenkins added: "I would urge all those who support us to
come along to the inquiry hearing and let the Planning Inspectorate
see the strength of feeling there is against this scheme."
Moose
Roper Limited, the developers behind the scheme, argue the proposed
building would "make a positive contribution to new housing
needs in Burnham with a landmark building."
"This
is a necessary development meeting housing targets on a brownfield
site, which in turn protects the countryside."
Our
photos show Allandale Road residents and the property which would
be demolished
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