"IT makes Highbridge look really untidy, it's an eyesore."

Those are the words of Councillor John Parkes, a Burnham and Highbridge town councillor, who is calling on the owners of the former Canal House site in Highbridge to do more to keep the plot tidy.

The site in Market Street used to be occupied by Canal House but the building was demolished in 2012 due to health and safety reasons and as a result it has remained derelict for a number of years.

Over the last few months Cllr Parkes said rubbish has been flytipped and hoardings surrounding the site have been broken and vandalised and said he has fears it will discourage people from coming into the town.

"It makes Highbridge look really untidy which is such a shame given the super Christmas lights, the new furniture store and efforts to encourage local people to use their town centres more," Cllr Parkes said.

"There were a few hoardings that were straddling the footpath a few weeks ago but they have been removed as I pointed out to Sedgemoor District Council that they were a danger for pedestrians at this busy junction.

“But the vacant spaces and vandalised hoardings still leave the area looking very unappealing. It is not creating an attractive gateway into the town.

"Like many local people I just think this eyesore site needs tidying up as soon as possible as I don't think this is good for the town."

The site may soon be home to 29 flats as planners at Sedgemoor District Council have recommended a proposal from New Shore Developments for approval.

The plans which also include the creation of 31 ancillary car parking spaces and bin and cycle storage, will go before Sedgemoor District Council’s development committee on Tuesday, December 18, at Bridgwater House.

A spokesman for Property Link Consultants, who manages the site on behalf of the owner, said: “We were initially instructed to sell the site and the purchasers then instructed us as planning consultants, we are not instructed in respect of on-going management

“The owner of the site has been very ill and has spent some months having treatment. I have asked if he can arrange for the hoardings to be repaired.”