Town councillors gave their backing to a proposed £2.5million medical centre at Berrow on Monday (December 8th).
Burnham-On-Sea.com exclusively reported last month how fresh plans for the centre in Brent Road had been resubmitted eight months after the first set of proposals were withdrawn amid concern that the building, pictured here, was out-of-keeping.
However, the scheme – which includes two new NHS dentists and extra medical services to help relieve the pressure on Burnham’s busy Love Lane medical centre – have been updated and the scheme won the backing of councillors on the town council’s planning applications committee on Monday evening.
Cllr Janet Keen told the meeting: “The colour and appearance of the building has been changed from the original plans to make it blend in more with the surrounding scenery.”
She added: “While I would not normally support development in a rural setting like this, this application is different because it will be vital in relieving pressure on Burnham Medical Centre and in helping to provide many people with local medical services.”
But Cllr Ken Smout gave the plans a more cautious backing, telling the meeting: “I am still a bit concerned about how the building may look and can sympathise with nearby residents who may want screening introduced.”
Cllr Chris Williams said that if the plans gain the approval of Sedgemoor District Council’s planners, who will ultimately decide whether the sheme goes ahead, that he would be pressing for public transport bus services to be diverted past the site.
It was stressed at Monday’s meeting that while the Berrow Medical Centre is being funded by the partners of Burnham Medical Centre, along with Somerset Primary Care Trust, there are no plans to change the existing surgery in Love Lane.
RELATED LINKS:
Berrow health centre plans withdrawn by planners
Residents flock to see plans for new health centre
