A PROPOSED mini-golf course on Burnham's seafront moved one step closer, after district councillors gave plans their approval last week.

Sedgemoor District Council's development control committee gave the controversial south esplanade scheme the thumbs up, despite objections from neighbours.

Now the attraction only has to pass through the council's executive committee - which will decide whether to dispose of public esplanade space for the course - before it is officially approved.

Paul Chatwin, the entrepreneur behind the mini-golf plans, told the Weekly News: “All I can say is that I am extremely pleased that the development control committee voted in favour of the mini-golf proposal at their meeting.

“The proposal has to return to the executive committee, where I hope the councillors will recognise that this new attraction can bring benefits to the wider area, while saving the budget-restricted council some money too.

“I have received a huge amount of support with 40 residents writing to Sedgemoor District Council in support of the course and 130 people have also signed a petition in favour.”

Mr Chatwin claimed the mini-golf course would be for everyone in Sedgemoor and said he would try to bring in youth clubs for friendly competitions.

But neighbours overlooking the proposed site said it would turn public land into private land.

One neighbour, Myra Sexton, said: “We would lose public amenity land - that is where the case begins and ends.”