TOWN councillors have refused the chance to meet the applicant behind ambitious new plans for Burnham.

The Burnham Quay regeneration project is being proposed by former members of the Royal Burnham Yacht Club.

They want to bring a new public ferry pontoon, reimagined visitor centre, new accommodation, shops and restaurant facilities to the quayside.

The project would see the Quayside Café and two-storey Fairway Chandlery shop demolished and replaced, along with two dilapidated single-storey residential units behind them.

A new visitor centre would be built opposite the flood gateway on the jetty next to business.

If the project reaches the planning application stage, it would be a joint venture by the yacht club, next to the site, and M&T Developments Ltd, spearheaded by yacht club members and Burnham residents Tim and Cathy Herring and Mike Baker-Harber, and created specifically to acquire and develop the site for the benefit of the yacht club.

M&T Developments approached Burnham Town Council to see if it would be open to having a meeting to discuss the plans.

However, councillors voted against the meeting at town council on September 14 as it had not yet been made as a planning application.

Councillor Peter Elliot said: “The applicant will have an opportunity to speak at the planning meeting for two minutes the same as any other applicant.

“Why should they be any different? I cannot support this proposal.”

Councillor Ron Pratt was more open to the meeting.

He said: “They have not actually put a planning application in yet.

“This is like we have done with many other developers.

“They sound out the town council without prejudice – their views and our views. I do not have a problem with it.”

A vote was taken and councillors decided by five to two not to meet with the developers.