BURNHAM traders arestaggered after a controversial flats scheme which they say could “kill the town” has been given the go-ahead.

The developer behind the plans to build 35 flats at the former Tucker’s Garage site in the centre of Burnham this week was told it could proceed after winning a planning appeal.

Sedgemoor District Council had rejected Abracore’s plans at a planning meeting last year citing inadequate parking and the unsuitable character of the development.

Chairman of Sedgemoor’s development committee Cllr Bob Filmer said there should be at least 50 parking spaces instead of the 19 offered in the Abracore plan.

He also said councillors were unhappy with the character and design of the development.

However the developer decided to fight the decision by mounting an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

Despite a strong campaign by the Tucker’s Garage Action Group, the inspector ruled outline planning permission should be granted with a condition that the flats should go to the over 55s as retirement living accommodation.

And he added that he believes the developer has provided too many parking spaces (19) for the scheme saying that many elderly residents will not have their own car.

Pauline Wright, a member of the group who runs Grandma’s Attic in Victoria Street, near the site, told the Weekly News: “This will kill the town.

“Putting a residential block of flats here will basically chop off my shop and other shops past the development, from the rest of the shopping area.

“Victoria Street has always been a commercial area and was known as such even before the High Street.

“People will walk down the road and see the flats and think there are no more shops to visit.

“It is really bad news for me and others along this side of the street. I can’t believe this development has been allowed.”

Another member of the action group, the Rev Graham Witts, said: “I find it extraordinary that this scheme has been allowed to go ahead with only 19 car parking spaces.

“The assumption is that people over 55 won’t have their own car but there will be tradesman and doctors and people who need to park. I am very concerned about this.”

Richard Kellaway, of Abracore, said: “We are pleased that the Planning Inspectorate found in our favour.

“However, it was expected as we have consulted with designers and planners over the past four or five years.

“The site is over half an acre and we purchased it over seven years ago and it makes sense to do something with it.

“The county highways agreed with us that 19 spaces was enough for this development.”