A DEVELOPER wants to build up to 900 homes on the edge of Coalpit Heath.
Edward Ware Homes says it would create a “contemporary, sustainable new neighbourhood” on land at Frog Lane Farm to the north east of the village.
The farmland is currently part of the Green Belt and is not proposed as a potential development site in South Gloucestershire Council’s draft Local Plan, which is currently with the government awaiting approval.
The developer has launched an informal consultation and is asking people to have their say on its plans. It has set up a website and is holding a drop-in session at the Miners social club next week.
Edward Ware Homes says around half of the proposed homes would be ‘affordable’ – available for social rent or shared ownership schemes.
It also says a new two-form entry primary school and nursery school would be part of the plans for a “new neighbourhood”, which would lie between Badminton Road, Woodside Road and Frog Lane.
Other proposals include a new “local centre” with “commercial and community spaces”, and
“community parkland” with play areas, sports pitches and allotments.
Edward Ware Homes director Edward Ware said: “Our ambition is to create a thriving and inclusive neighbourhood that prioritises providing a great place to live, where residents can access sustainable transport and feel connected to their surroundings.
“Every resident will live close to green spaces, with high-quality homes and community areas carefully woven into the landscape.
“Over 45% of the site area will be taken up with community parklands, meadows, play spaces, allotments, community orchards and connected green corridors, providing accessible open spaces to relax, play and connect for both new and existing residents.
“A new local primary school and spaces for business, community groups and sports clubs will also provide valuable facilities for the whole community.”
The builder says the houses would be “energy efficient” and the development “will be supported by on-site renewable energy generation to minimise the scheme’s environmental impact”.
The company has asked South Gloucestershire Council for a “screening opinion” on whether it would need to carry out an assessment of the proposed development’s environmental impact as part of a planning application.
Both the informal consultation and request to the council are often carried out before a full planning application is made.
In the screening opinion request, agents Pegasus Group argue that “an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required to adequately assess the Proposed Development, because any environmental effects are likely to be less than significant”.
They said: “A Planning Statement will accompany any planning application that will assess whether the site constitutes ‘Grey Belt’ and/or the ‘very special circumstances’ policy needs for development within Greenbelt.”
The development is the latest of several to propose housing on land in South Gloucestershire that is not earmarked for development in the draft Local Plan, as the council waits to see if it will be approved by the government: in nearby Winterbourne, land promoter Waddeton Park has recently proposed building 124 homes on Hicks Common, a greenfield site also currently protected from development as part of the Green Belt.
Edward Ware said: “Analysis of local housing needs has shown that the emerging Local Plan will not fully meet the Government’s extended house building targets.
“Our proposals for providing housing at this sustainable location will go some way to helping South Gloucestershire Council meet this shortfall.”
The company has set up a website with details of the plans at www.landatfroglane.co.uk.
People will be able to make comments on the site from next Monday, February 9, until the 27th.
The drop-in consultation session will be held next Thursday, February 12, in the small hall at the Miners Social Club in Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, from 4-7pm.
People can also email questions to consultation coordinators Avril Baker Consultancy at froglane@abc-pr.co.uk.
Anyone who is not online can call 0117 977 2002 and leave a message.
Top picture: Some of the fields off Frog Lane where homes would be built if the plans go ahead.