CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn a Burnham landmark into flats have been turned down by town councillors.

Burnham and Highbridge town councillors voted unanimously against proposals to turn Salways Hardware shop on Regent Street into six new flats at a planning committee meeting on March 20 after they agreed they did not want to lose the retail unit.

Cllr Louise Parkin said: "I am totally against turning the ground floor shop into flats.

"I think it is inconsistent with what this committee has agreed with in the past.

"Regent Street has only retail outlets on the street apart from one building and it has had a lot of investment put into it over the years.

"I think if we approved this it would send out the wrong message."

The plans for the six new homes will mean the use of the building will be changed from a retail building to commercial flats.

Councillors said they had concerns about the lack of back access on the premises for residents and said it would be a 'shame' to see the retail unit turned into new homes.

Cllr Andy Brewer said: "Regent Street is nearly all retail shops at the moment but the fact there are already no parking facilities for these six flats is already accepted in a town centre location."

Salways Hardware formally closed in 2015 after a century of trading after the owners said they found it difficult to compete with bigger DIY shops in area.

The store has remained partially open in order to clear out its stock.

Councillors agreed that the loss of the retail unit from Regent Street was 'not good' for the town.

Cllr John Parkes said: "We have already set a principal in Highbridge trying to retain ground floor shops so I would be against turning this shop into flats here.

"Some people in Burnham and Highbridge have said, 'why can't this be turned into into a small Argos or Next store?

"I think using it for retail would be a better use of the space."

Councillors agreed to turn down the plans for the development but the final decision will rest with Sedgemoor District Council.