A FAMILY has been given permission to build a new home on the site of a former historic farmhouse, after councillors overruled planning officers’ concerns.
The house will be built on Cloisters Road in Winterbourne, on the site of Cloisters Farm.
Planning officers said the road was dark and “unsafe” for walking to and from the village at night, as it lacks pavements and street lights, and recommended refusing permission for the project.
But members of South Gloucestershire Council’s development management committee voted to approve plans for the new home (pictured in a computer generated image, above) in December.
Applicant Alison Keats said: “It’s a self-build for myself and my family to occupy.
“Local residents and councillors will remember when Cloisters Farm existed on the site.
“Cloisters Road is probably the most well-used walking, cycling and horse-riding route in Winterbourne, with dozens of people using it daily, including myself where I walk my dog every day.
“The reduced speed limit, good visibility and large verges mean that it is a safe walking area. The local shops, schools and pubs are very close by and within easy walking distance to the site.
“There was a house on the site for at least 170 of the last 200 years.”
Planning officers were concerned about a lack of shops nearby, which would mean that residents of the new house would likely rely on driving everywhere.
Council policy says new homes should be built in “sustainable locations”, where people can walk, cycle or get the bus to most places they need to go to.
‘Everything all within one mile’
But Winterbourne ward councillor Nicholas Labuschagne said: “There are five shopping areas, two small convenience stores, two large convenience stores, a hairdresser, a large hardware shop, beauty centre, takeaways, charity shops, post offices, butcher’s, baker’s — and you can even buy candlesticks as well.
“There’s everything all within one mile.”
Officials also raised the issue of safety for pedestrians walking on the road.
Planning officer Suzanne D’Arcy said: “Distance isn’t the sole arbiter of sustainability, it’s also about whether it’s safe and walkable.
“There aren’t any separated footpaths, and there is a difference between going for a walk, and walking to the shops, a school or to get the bus into work.”
Other issues included the site’s location in the Green Belt, which is protected from development. However councillors on the committee decided to approve planning permission for the new house.
Committee member June Bamford (Con, Hanham) said: “Not everybody wishes to live in a built-up area.
“We talk about street lights — I can wander around Hanham later at night and they’re probably all switched off, so it’s just as dark there as it’s likely to be around here.
“We’ve got to get into the real world: people do have cars.”
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service