Four-year action plan for Burnham

Town council members have met to thrash out ideas which look at youth, the elderly, employment, housing development and tourism. Now they are producing a report for approval by the full town council.

"We believe it is essential that we set ourselves targets," said Deputy Mayor Terry Quinlan.

There was something for everyone in the plans, he said.

"To encourage tourism to Burnham, it is suggested that there should be improvements to the gateway to the town and opportunities for a continental, subdued lighting scheme in the park going round to the marina," said Mr Quinlan.

"There is also a phenomenal shortage of football and rugby pitches, so we will be actively seeking means of purchasing land.

"For the older age groups, we are looking to a University of the Third Age, and a healthy living centre. Burnham has one of the highest records of single parents, and this healthy living centre will attempt to address some of the problems for those."

Another area of concern was housing development in the town, said Mr Quinlan, and members planned to seek housing gain for any new large-scale development and encourage developers to give more garden space and room to new buildings.

"We feel the town has not benefited enough from the additional housing that has come into the area, and we equally feel that the family housing being built has inadequate room and garden space," he said.

A junior town council and ongoing improvements to the skateboard park are also proposed in the action plan.

If approved by councillors, it is hoped that the plan can be adopted for the next financial year.

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