Fears are growing a town’s final bit of green open space could be lost for more than 100 homes.
Land behind Lakeside, in Highbridge, is earmarked for a 121-home development, but Burnham and Highbridge Town Council’s planning committee voted on September 17 to support protestors against the scheme.
Coln Developments is looking to build the homes, a fitness trail and children’s play area, close to Isleport Business Park in Bolton Close.
Members took the decision ‘very seriously’ after 94 objections were made against the proposed development on land which is owned privatively and by Sedgemoor District Council.
Speaking on behalf of Lakeside’s residents public open space committee, Linda Greenland said: “People in the town strongly object to the last green land in Highbridge being lost.
“It should be saved for families and future generations and we believe public open space must not be taken away from the people of Highbridge.”
Sedgemoor district councillor Roger Keen echoed these concerns and said: “The site was meant to be used for public open space, and now it is overgrown and nothing has been done with it – the area has become a haven for wildlife.”
The councillor mentioned there are 35 species of wildlife, including five of those on the endangered red list and the same number breeding which are living in the area of grasslands behind Lakeside.
He continued to talk about safety issues in the plans: “The existing Lakeside entrance also needs to be widened to allow for an increased traffic flow of more than 121 extra cars, which could be dangerous leading onto the A38.”
Cllr Louise Parkin reiterated these concerns, as she added: “I do not believe these plans should go ahead unless there is a significant change to the entrance crossing.
“It could potentially prove to be deadly with the amount of people living in the area – especially with the express train going frighteningly quick.”
Cllr Peter Clayton reverberated these views by stating the plans for access to the site was ‘simply unacceptable.’
Sedgemoor District Council will have the final say as to whether the development will go ahead in Highbridge.
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