Residents hit out at plan to demolish historic building for flats

RESIDENTS are upset at fresh plans to demolish a historic property in Bridgwater and turn it into a fourstorey block of flats.

Quattro Design Architects is seeking to transform the Penlea House site, off Rhode Lane, into 33 flats spread over four floors.

The building has served as the main house on a country estate, but has recently been used for accommodation as six large flats owned by Sedgemoor District Council.

It was previously described as “economically unsustainable” by the local authority because of the heating and maintenance costs.

Planning permission was granted in late-2018 to demolish it to make way for 36 flats but no construction took place.

The revised plan aims to construct 20 one-bed flats and 13 two-bed flats, along with a total of 67 parking spaces.

Leigh Redman, town and county councillor, has said he and another councillor have received numerous messages about the redevelopment. He has appealed for people to have their say on the application in a Facebook post.

Responding, resident Ashley Allen wrote: “I’m really upset by this. This building is so close to the back of our gardens.

“The wildlife will be affected. I bought this house years ago for the privacy the back of the house brings.

“I’m not alone in how I’m feeling, all my neighbours feel the same and as for keeping us informed, a bit late for that.”

Another resident, Lesley Barnes said: “Too many historic buildings are pulled down and replaced by modern structures and then, within about 10 years the new structures are deemed unfit and pulled down.”

Quattro Design Architects believes the site is in “a highly sustainable central location” with “excellent transport links” to Bridgwater town centre and nearby schools and supermarkets.

A spokesman said the development will be energy efficient through the use of modern insulation methods, triple glazed windows, efficient heating and solar panels on the roof.