Village of Whitchurch could be swamped by Bristol if 300 new homes are built on greenbelt corridor
A PLAN to build nearly 300 new homes on the edge of Bristol would destroy the greenbelt corridor between Whitchurch and Stockwood, according to the city's planning officers.
They are urging councillors to recommend refusal for the scheme submitted by developers Robert Hitchens Ltd on land off Staunton Lane.
The site lies over the border in Bath and North East Somerset which means city councillors can only pass on their observations. The planning decision will be made by councillors from Bath and North East Somerset.
In a report to a Bristol council meeting on Wednesday, planning officers say the main cause of concern is "the in-filling of the rural break between Whitchurch village and Stockwood to the north".
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They say: "This would have a significant negative impact on the distinctive character and identity of Whitchurch village as a separate historical entity."
The report also explains the traffic impact of what is described as a "car-dependent" scheme.
It points out that there is already significant queuing at key junctions in the area, particularly the traffic light junction where Staunton Lane meets the busy A37.
It says: "The layout (of the plan) would result in a cul-de-sac development that is car-dependent in nature. Access is limited to two vehicular routes off Stockwood Lane and several pedestrian links to surrounding streets.
"Stockwood Lane does not offer an attractive walking or cycling link and other footpaths are not overlooked and do not therefore offer a realistic alternative to car use."
Bath and North East Somerset councillors turned down the original homes plan which led to an appeal being lodged but later withdrawn.
A new application was submitted in October last year which has yet to be decided. It includes up to 295 one to five-bed houses, access roads, open space, allotments and landscaping.
In the meantime, a planning inspector has raised concerns over the number of new homes in the council's area and where they should be built.
This has led to Bath and North East Somerset councillors proposing to increase the number of new homes from 11,500 to 12,700 between 2011 and 2029. It has identified seven sites – including land at Whitchurch for 200 homes – where they could be built.
The proposal will be put before the planning inspector when he continues with his public examination in June or July.
Comments can be made by visiting the council's website at Banes core strategy website.
7 Comments
by dbrick
Monday, March 11 2013, 6:12PM
“the city centre has numerous empty office blocks,these should be converted into flats.save the green belt and add life to the city.also,the grovesnor building and the eyesore next to it,by the 1 way system near temple meads,should be demolished.i think its listed but basically its a nasty eyesore,remove it.”
by Brennus
Monday, March 11 2013, 3:55PM
“It is high time that we brought all of Bristol's urban area under the control of one authority, instead of the absurd situation we have now.
The likes of South Gloucestershire and North Somerset are entirely artificial constructs and have actively worked against the interests of Bristol. The parts of those authorities actually in Bristol should be removed from their control and the rest of their areas should be downgraded to District Council status.”
by kromax
Monday, March 11 2013, 1:04PM
“and vrwrtuy by the way, lets hope they do breed more as the ratio of old people to working age people is ever increasing and the burden of paying pensions falls on working peoples taxes.”
by kromax
Monday, March 11 2013, 1:01PM
“several reasons for the increase in population and demand for more homes, yes immigration also people living longer, people living in homes with fewer family members.”
by vrwrtuy
Monday, March 11 2013, 11:27AM
“Why do we need more homes ? Is the population of the area increasing due to non immigration reasons? If not, how about stopping taking in so many immigrants to Bristol ( who seems to breed more than the established population ).”
by FromMendip
Monday, March 11 2013, 11:12AM
“Why are Bristol City Council's officers bothering about Whitchurch Village which is in B&NES when they should be more directed towards the interests of the residents of Stockwood which is within the city?
If the interests of both Stockwood and Whitchurch residents coincide then that's fair enough but the report (and of course it may be the slant the Post has adopted) suggests the city council planners are more concerned about the residents of a neighbouring area than their own.
Former Leader Janke took much the same attitude when I asked why the city coouncil had formally opposed the airport expansion a couple of years ago. She said a main reason was the quality of life of those living near the airport. Very altruistic of her but why was she bothering about another area's constituents?
I've been banging on for years about two brakes on Bristol progress. One was the election of councillors by thirds and thankfully that's now been abolished from 2015. The other is the artifically constricted boundaries of Bristol which should be expanded to cover the entire urban conurbation. With any luck that ridiculous situation will be visited next and action taken to overcome it.”
by Magrathea2011
Monday, March 11 2013, 9:41AM
“Here we go again!
First there is South Gloucestershire's mega plans on the northern fringe of the City which BCC had to point out the obvious, identical issues as this proposal, then Bristol University's plans in North Somerset at Long Ashton, now this! All have the same issues - putting excessive strain on Bristol's infrastructure without any benefit in such things as additional Council Tax revenues to help mitigate the effects of such developments and also the blatent eroding of the Green Belt!
It is surely time to seriously start the debate of the merits in having an enlarged Greater Bristol Metropolitan Authority in order to have a cohesive and sustainable solution to all this.”