Hundreds protest against Bristol homes plan
More than 600 people have written in protest against plans for hundreds of new homes on green belt in Bristol.
Up to 450 houses could be built on the site to the east of Barry Road, Oldland Common.
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The proposal in the area of Park Farm also allows for a new primary school, a care home for the elderly, a district centre and employment use.
But the application by Strategic Land Partnership has sparked a campaign by Save Our Green Spaces (SOGS), which is fighting to protect the green belt from development.
Its growing membership has resulted in groups being set up throughout the region, many in the Bristol area.
Oldland Common SOGS staged a demonstration against the Barry Road scheme within days of it being submitted to South Gloucestershire Council.
Many of those involved in the protest wore face masks as they highlighted a potential pollution risk from extra traffic they say the development will generate.
The group later ran an open day in St Anne's Church, Oldland, to let people know what was being planned so they could submit letters of objection to the plan.
Jacquie Stephens, who set up the neighbouring Warmley and Siston SOGS a year ago, in response to fears that protected land to the east of Kingswood was under threat of development, is now an ambassador for the movement.
She travels around the South West to help get new groups established.
She said: "The open day was a huge success. We opened at 9am and people were coming in constantly until 4pm. At the last count we had over 600 letters of opposition against the development of Barry Road.
"We would like to thank everyone who turned up.
"It was such a success we are thinking of having another one.
"It is clear that the community is set against this for really good reasons, such as the lack of decent transport. The roads around Oldland are already busy and with another 450 houses it would be even worse.
"South Gloucestershire councillors need to throw this application out and support the people who elected them."
Opponents of the plan said new housing had to meet local needs and be put in the right place.
They want brownfield locations developed instead of open spaces.
They said the Oldland Common site under threat was prime farmland, but if it was built on would be lost for good.
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by sarah, oldland common
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 11:19PM
“Oh dear martha you obviously arent aware that oldland has a high number of local authority housing already (I am aware of this fact as I indeed live in one such dwelling) so that very comment about your house prices is totally incorrect. I however do not wish for more houses to be built as the high street is not able to cope with the excess traffic coming off the ringroad as it is let alone more and if Im perfectly honest I cant see why the government doesnt reclaim existing empty buildings and revamp these first before building more house that they cannot sell (there are plenty of new builds not sold out there already).
My house looks out onto fields and I would prefer to keep it this way which is why I oppose the plans, however I am neither a snob or living in a fantasy land and do realise that progress is inevitable, I just dont think it is necessary in Oldland yet.”
by nick, Bedminster Down
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 3:19PM
“Martha what a snobby comment you make. With comments like that you loose all credibilty.”
by dolphin drinker, Oldland
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 11:30AM
“I live in Oldland, it's a nice sleepyish suburb but doesn't have much going for it apart from being close to Bristol.. Most people I know in their mid 20's would love to see more houses built. My only concern in the impact it might have on high street traffic, which is already very congested. Maybe this will lead to new shops in the high street, like a butchers.”
by anil, south glos
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 11:03AM
“Living near Oldland common, I feel the area is in need of modernisation. When California farm in Longwell Green was developed, it took nearly 30 years for facilities to appear locally.
Oldland and other areas including Bitton have enough room for extra housing and keeping open spaces. More public transport could be part of the process, rather than letting First get away with providing services at the level they did 70 years ago.
The idea that you shouldn't build houses so that the value of yours will go down is NIMBY nonsense. Everywhere was a village once. Areas I lived in London's outskirts were semi-rural sad places 30 years ago. Now they are vibrant suburbs, with a wide variety of additional housing and people.”
by derek, Nuremburg
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 11:00AM
“At the risk of repeating myselfi feel i have to comment.My Daughter lives in Wick and I used to live nearby.so I do know the area well.the nearest towns of any size (ie Swindon) are about 40 miles away,same to the North & South.this whole area is delightful English countryside.What`s so special about Oldland and wo betide anyone else who wants to share this lovely part of the West.Pathetic!”
by Tony Stonem, Bath
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 10:40AM
“Scared of progress then Oldland Common?
Before I read your comments i had some sympathy, but this shows what a bunch of nasty pennty pinching incosiderate souls you are.
tarmac the area.NOW!
How do you think your petty little village started?”
by Jon, Bristol
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 9:59AM
“There are hundreds of empty places in and around Bristol.
Why destory Green belt land when we cant fill what we have?
DEVELOPERS LEAVE THE GREEN IN AND AROUND BRISTOL ALONE.”
by Martha, Oldland Common Residents Association
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 9:34AM
“I just realized im talking complete twaddle and would like the houses to be built as close as possible to me, maybe some high rise flats wouldnt go a miss.”
by Conrad, BS1
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 9:27AM
“Martha you are worried about your property values.
That is the most selfish and unchristian thing I have ever heard!
Why not see the house you are lucky to have as somewhere to live rather than a big pot of money.
Shame on you and your co-residents.”
by Jane, Bath
Tuesday, August 25 2009, 8:50AM
“Adrian, you obviously don't know where Oldland Common is!! For your information it is in the suburbs of the city, on the edge of the countryside. Perhaps you should check your A-Z before showing your ignorance!!”