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Published:
May 6, 2009
'Regular
meetings' being held with developer on fire-hit Highbridge Hotel
Town
councillors have this week been reassured by a local conservation
officer that positive talks are being held with the owner of the
fire-ravaged Highbridge Hotel regarding long-awaited repairs to
the property.
Catherine
Saunders, Sedgemoor District Council's Conservation Officer, addressed
Burnham and Highbridge Town Council's Planning Applications Committee
on Tuesday evening (May 5th), when she said that regular meetings
are being held with the developers.
Burnham
and Highbridge Mayor Peter Burridge-Clayton told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"She is holding weekly meetings with representatives from
Mead Realisations to ensure that any necessary demolition work
is carried out with a view to preserving the façade of
what is a Grade II listed building, and furthermore, should any
of it be damaged during the necessary demolition work, then the
owners would be required to restore it."
"In
addition, safety is of paramount importance and it is vital to
ensure that the building is safe before work can commence."
"With
regard to the security of the site, the town council has received
assurances from the Conservation Officer that Mead Realisations
has done all it reasonably can to make the site secure and that
the site is inspected every two days."
"I
can assure members of the public that the Town Council are as
keen as local residents to see this site re-built as soon as possible,
but are conscious also that this must be done with the full co-operation
of conservation experts."
It
comes after the property, pictured, was left in an unstable condition
following a huge
fire in
April 2008. It has been boarded up ever since and nearby residents
and councillors are keen to see its appearance improved.
Mr
Mead told Burnham-On-Sea.com in September
that he wants to restore the listed building to its former glory.
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