Former Burnham-on-Sea care home to be demolished and replaced
A former Burnham-on-Sea care home will be demolished and replaced following a unanimous vote by local councillors
Last updated 16th Aug 2025
Country Court Care Ltd. submitted plans in November 2023 to demolish the former Priory Court care home on the B3139 Oxford Street (which closed its doors in November 2022) and replace it with a new 70-bed facility.
Somerset Council deferred a decision on the plans in July after concerns were raised about the design of the new building and how it would integrate with the surrounding area.
The council’s planning committee north (which handles major applications within the former Sedgemoor area) has now given the proposals its backing, meaning that construction could begin within a matter of months.
The former care home lies at the corner of Oxford Street and Priory Gardens, just north of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School and a short walk from the town centre and seafront.
The new facility will comprise 70 en-suite bedrooms, arranged over a mixture of two- and three-storey blocks, with communal facilities including a café and salon on the ground floor.
Access would by from Oxford Street, with 17 visitor parking spaces being provided nearby along with 11 staff places to the north.
A spokesman for Osmund Tricks (representing the applicant) said: “Due to the historic nature of the building and its piecemeal evolution, the form, spaces and proportions are not conducive for a modern care home facility.
“The only option to improve the standard of care and maintain bedroom numbers locally is to demolish the existing facility to allow a new care home to be constructed.
“Local demand is increasing, and as such our client seeks to provide a modern
building with high-quality accommodation for residents and job opportunities
for local employment in this important community facility.”
Owain Wynne, who lives nearby, spoke against the proposals on behalf of the Diocese of Bath and Wells when the council’s planning committee north met in Bridgwater on Tuesday afternoon (August 12).
He told the committee: “This result in the total demolition of a site with clear historic and architectural significance, including a Victorian-era building and chapel which contribute to the character of Burnham-on-Sea.
“Your own conservation officer objected, calling for a more sympathetic approach and noting the site’s importance to our communal history.
“This is a densely populated residential area. Vulnerable residents, including young children and elderly neighbours, will be directly impacted by the disruption of demolition.
“This scheme destroys local identity, increases traffic and parking stresses, offers no meaningful green infrastructure and reflects institutional design, not community-focused architecture.”
Councillor Bob Filmer (Conservative, Brent) said he was pleased the developer had worked pro-actively with the council’s planning officers to provide assurances since the July meeting.
He added: “Demolition is going to generate a lot of issues, but the developer is aware that they are surrounded by development on all sides and hopefully they will do their bit to minimise the impact on the residents.
“In terms of the design, this is definitely an improvement on what we had before. They’ve made an effort to meet us halfway – we’ve done all we can.”
Councillor Tony Grimes (who represents the same division) concurred: “They have gone quite way to alter this and make it a bit more in keeping with the area.”
The committee voted unanimously to approve the plans after less than half an hour’s debate.