Published: April 7, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea residents launch protest to halt 75 new homes

Proposals to build 75 new homes on a patch of green open space in Burnham-On-Sea have sparked a protest by local residents.

Persimmon Homes has applied for full planning permission to construct 75 dwellings on land to the west of Lawrence Close and north of Wallace Wells Road, pictured here.

A scheme to build new homes on the site has been expected for some time since the land was the site of a former rubbish landfill site which has had to be left unused for 20 years while dangerous emissions and gasses were left to escape from the rotting material underneath.

But the huge scale of the plans has shocked residents, who have already erected protest signs around the site in opposition to the plans and are planning a public meeting in Burnham on Wednesday (April 9th) to discuss their next move.

Resident Dave Harris told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It's a ridiculous amount of homes to be considering here. The proposed low-cost homes are totally out of keeping for this part of town."

And nearby home owner Bill Parish added: "Far too many homes are planned here - there's a lot of concern among residents. We've always known homes are planned here, but not on this scale."

Sedgemoor District Council's Development Control Committee will consider the scheme during the next few weeks, and residents have until 25th April to submit their feedback on the scheme.

Residents are also demanding to know whether a £240,000 play area that had been earmarked for the site will still go ahead.