Published: December 11, 2008
Vandalism-hit Burnham hall will be bulldozed and replaced with 14 flats

A former church hall in Burnham-On-Sea is to be bulldozed and replaced with this modern development of 14 new flats, it was decided this week.

Sedgemoor District Council has approved plans by Raglan Homes to demolish St Peter's Hall, located opposite Burnham's Catholic Church in Highbridge Road, pictured below.

Last month, Burnham-On-Sea.com reported how rocks had been thrown through the windows of the property, leading to it being boarded up.

While town councillors had raised concerns about the height of the planned three-storey development and its 'out-of-character' appearance with surrounding properties, they were keen to see something done about the property.

The developer returned with an updated scheme and this was met with final approval by Sedgemoor's planners this week.

Sedgemoor case officer Rob Morgan has placed several conditions on the developers. These include that certain upstairs windows must be fitted with obscured glass to preserve the privacy of adjacent homes. Also, in the interests of pedestrian safety, a new 1.8 metre wide footway will be constructed along the entire front of the site.

Furthermore, in the interests of highway safety and to ensure that there is adequate space within the site for the parking of vehicles clear of the highway, the District Council has requested that proposed driveways, parking spaces and turning areas must be constructed before any flat is occupied.

This week's decision has been welcomed by local councillors and some nearby residents following years of discussions about the property.