The plans by Sedgemoor to plough tens of thousands of pounds of 106 money into the Isleport Ponds in Highbridge have been delayed due to access to the site.

The District Council own land to the north of the ponds and intend to make their site open to the public as a leisure and park area. They plan to use 106 money from the Asda and new housing development in the town which has been the subject of the so-called ‘missing money’ row with the Liberal Democrat town councillor John Parkes.

Cllr Parkes’ main concern was over the education money earmarked in the 106 agreement but also had concerns over the cash put by for the ponds area. Sedgemoor have stated there is no ‘missing money’ and they are taking their time in allocating cash to the planned projects already outlined.

Chris Brewer of the Highbridge Angling Association wanted to clarify who owns what in the sites that run alongside the railway in Highbridge. With respect to the lane and land off the B3139 road he told the Weekly News: “The Highbridge Angling Association and Bridgwater Angling Association purchased Walrow Ponds outright in the mid-eighties and this also included the access road to the ponds. We are not in any dispute with access as we have owned the access road and rights when we purchased the ponds.”

He said: “The only official access to Walrow Ponds for Anglers is via this access road, the access across the railway line is to a public footpath that runs alongside our land with the last 100m crossing our land, as the lakes are privately owned there is no public access and access is only permitted for anglers once they have purchased a permit to fish.”

However the Weekly News understands that dog walkers regularly access the Walrow Ponds area and land to the north owned by Sedgemoor by crossing the railway line off Springfield Road. Some locals consider the unguarded crossing highly dangerous and the only way to cross the line to access the council’s land would thus be the construction of a pedestrian footbridge.

Mr Brewer added: “At present the Highbridge Angling Association lease the fishing rights from Sedgemoor Council for Apex and Newtown Lake and these lakes are included along with Walrow Ponds, plus several stretches on the River Brue that we own and lease on the permit to fish that is required by all anglers.”

What do you think Sedgemoor should do with their land? A park, housing or a leisure centre? Your views please to harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk