A CONTROVERSIAL application to double the size of a community building in Clevedon has been opposed by town councillors.

A CONTROVERSIAL application to double the size of a community building in Clevedon has been opposed by town councillors.

Clevedon Town Council's environment and planning committee agreed to recommend refusal of North Somerset Council's plans to develop The Barn, in Great Western Road, to include a children's centre.

Councillors objected to the proposal on 10 different points including access problems to the site, loss of green fields and proximity to neighbouring properties.

The recommendation was met with cheers by members of the public at the committee meeting in the council offices, Old Street.

Councillor Stanley Vyce said: "Residents are concerned because the area already has a problem with drink and drug abuse, which they feel is not appropriate for a children's centre to be near."

North Somerset Council wants to extend The Barn, which is currently used as a youth centre and play area, towards Churchill Avenue and build a new car park and a new entrance to the site.

A new children's centre would be based in the building with various groups from antenatal classes to domestic abuse support.

Objections to the plans have been flooding in from residents and groups such as Somerset Highways due to access problems, Sport England because the town would lose green fields and the Environment Agency due to drainage capacity and flood risk.

The application is expected to go before North Somerset Council's north area committee for a final decision early next year.