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Published:
January 9, 2008
Campaign
to save Highbridge's Queen Square from developers is won!
 Delighted
councillors and residents in Highbridge were celebrating on Wednesday
afternoon (January 9th) after being told that a housing developer's
bid to build on an area of open green land had failed.
Residents
living besides Queen Square in Highbridge were overjoyed to hear
that the Planning Inspectorate has decided to reject an appeal
by Raglan Housing Association to build two three-storey buildings,
each
containing six flats, on the land.
The
decision comes after a long campaign by councillors and residents
to fight the scheme, which was initially rejected
in May and was followed by an appeal
from the developer.
Highbridge
councillors Joe Leach and Danny
Titcombe, who led the campaign to save the land, welcomed the
news on Wednesday.
 Cllr
Leach told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I am extremely pleased with
the decision on Queen Square, the victory is one for all of Highbridge
- even Sedgemoor, because we have shown that we will not be railroaded
into a position we don't want to be in."
"It's
about time that people's needs and wants were put first, rather
than just targets and statistics, and no matter what we will keep
working to make sure the people of Highbridge are heard."
And
Cllr Titcombe (pictured) added: "This is a fantastic result
for the residents of Morland. It was fantastic that the Planning
Inspectorate recognised the merits of having community aspects
to an estate instead of just houses."
"A
great deal of effort was put into this by all councillors involved
in it. It was gratifying that the Planning Inspector concurred
with nearly all of my planning objections that I had laid out
in a letter to the Inspectorate and I am sure that my views were
reiterated by every other letter of objection that was sent. It
is proof that when councillors and the community work together
they can make a difference."
Our
main photo shows Highbridge
councillors Joe Leach and Danny
Titcombe and local residents
celebrating at the site on Wednesday
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