Plans for a new Co-op convenience store and three new homes have been unveiled for the site of the former Berrow Inn this week.
Developer Rupert Baskcomb displayed his plans for the site during a drop-in session attended by over 80 residents in the village on Wednesday (December 17th).
Villagers gave varied feedback about the scheme, which features two semi-detached homes and a detached home at the rear of the site with the store at the front and ten parking spaces.
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “There’s been lots of positive feedback on the whole. You can’t please everyone, but there has been a good response for having a new development here to tidy up the site.”
“I have talked to several retailers about having a convenience store here and the Co-op is the front runner – they have looked closely at the demographics and the amount of passing traffic.”
He added: “These are preliminary plans that have not yet been submitted to the council, but I wanted to get feedback from residents first before the plans are submitted in January.”
Berrow Parish Council Chairman Barry Kew told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I’m pleased there was a good turnout, which shows the interest in the site. We have seen a wide range of opinions expressed, most of which have been positive about the development.”
Villagers gave wide-ranging feedback about the scheme. Among them were Val Freeman, who lives nearby and said she has no objections to the plans. Another resident said the store would be a welcome replacement for the pub.
But others were less keen, saying the proposals “are out of keeping with the surrounding area” and that “the store would cause traffic issues, particularly from delivery vehicles.”
The Berrow Inn was demolished back in May, as we reported here following months of uncertainty about the future of the pub.
Pictured: Top, Rupert Baskcomb showing his plans to residents; centre – how the store will look; above – the former pub in Berrow
