CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn the former Highbridge Library building into flats have been approved despite opposition from councillors and residents.

Sedgemoor District Council was seeking planning permission to transform the former Highbridge Library building at Alpha House into two one bedroom apartments.

The former library building in Market Street closed in December 2018 following a consultation by Somerset County Council despite a high-profile community campaign to save it.

Highbridge Chamber of Commerce, Burnham and Highbridge Town Council and a number of residents objected to the plans on the grounds of insufficient flood mitigation measures, a loss of footfall and a loss of retail space in Highbridge town centre.

But members of Sedgemoor District Council's development committee have given the development the go-ahead subject to a number of conditions.

The Weekly News has contacted Burnham and Highbridge Town Council for comment.