CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn the former Canal House site in Highbridge into 29 flats have been given a unanimous thumbs down by town councillors who say they have fears the site is being 'over developed'.

Developer, New Shore Developments, submitted plans to build 33 flats on the Market Street site last year but councillors from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council's planning committee voted to object to the plans as they felt the development would be 'detrimental' to the town.

At a meeting on Monday (April 16) members of the town council's planning committee discussed the developer's revised plans which if approved would see 29 flats, 29 underground parking spaces, bicycle access, a rooftop garden and a pedestrian access path through from Market Street built on the site.

David Barrett, who lives next to the site, spoke at the meeting and said he has major concerns about the project and said the proposals represent an 'over-development' of the site.

"My front window will look into a bin store and underground car park if this development goes ahead," Mr Barrett said.

"This would be an overdevelopment and would be completely out of character with other properties.

"There would be overlooking into adjacent homes, extra noise and disturbance, a risk of flooding, a lack of parking plus a lack of access."

But Cllr Andy Brewer said the developer had met the legal requirements for parking on the site and said he understands the parking pressures in the area.

Highbridge district councillor Roger Keen also spoke at the meeting and warned councillors that a building adjacent to the property could become unstable if the plans go ahead.

"2 Market Street, adjacent to this site, is an old property built in pre 1900 and does not have any foundations," Cllr Keen said.

"The whole wall rests on a row of bricks and excavating that wall for the parking area would probably critically destabilise the structural integrity of No.2 which could lead to a possible collapse."

Councillors debated the proposals at length and shared residents concerns about the parking and the proximity of the proposed development to existing homes.

Councillor Peter Burridge Clayton, said: "It is very close to other properties.

"I certainly wouldn't want a property that close to my home."

Councillor Nick Tolley echoed Cllr Burridge-Clayton's comments and said residents in the area 'need room to breathe' and expressed fears that the site is being overdeveloped.

"The developers are going to utilise every single corner of the space they have, it will be over developed," Cllr Tolley said.

Councillors unanimously voted to object to the proposals but the final decision rests with planning officers at Sedgemoor District Council.