A DEVELOPER has launched a new bid to build 450 homes on Green Belt land at Coalpit Heath.
Bloor Homes says its development, on a site to the east of the village between Roundways and St Anne’s Drive, the railway line and Woodside Road, will include “50% affordable housing”, land for a two-form entry primary school, a community building and “nearly half the site dedicated to green space”.
It claims the development would be a “sustainable neighbourhood” and is inviting people to a drop-in event at the Miners Social Club this week to look at its initial plans, ahead of a formal planning application to South Gloucestershire Council later this year.
The area’s MP had raised concerns about the plans, which would mean building on Green Belt land currently used for agriculture.
Announcing the project, Bloor Homes said: “The layout has been carefully designed around the site’s natural features, including a central ridgeline, ponds and mature hedgerows, with extensive planting, wetland and woodland areas helping to deliver more than 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.
“The site is well located, within walking distance of local schools, shops and bus stops, and will link into Coalpit Heath and the wider area via National Cycle Route 410 and existing public rights of way. A network of new pedestrian and cycle routes will run throughout the scheme, alongside traffic-calmed streets, EV charging and a mobility hub.”
Bloor Homes South West planning director Mike Kerton said: “This is a thoughtfully designed, landscape-led proposal that places nature and community at its heart.
“We want to create a neighbourhood that respects Coalpit Heath’s character, delivers real local benefits and helps meet South Gloucestershire’s clear need for new homes.
“By shaping the development around the site’s natural features and investing in public green space, infrastructure and affordable homes, we can deliver a place that grows out of the landscape rather than imposing on it. We encourage everyone to explore the proposals and tell us what matters to them.”
MP is ‘very concerned’
Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young has posted a statement on social media about the plans.
She said: “I am very concerned by Bloor Homes’ renewed interest in building on Coalpit Heath’s Green Belt.
“I have long campaigned with the local Lib Dem team against housing on this site.
“The Green Belt is there to stop our towns and villages merging together and building here would cut the narrowing gap between Coalpit Heath and Yate.
“Local people are also concerned about the impact on roads and services, as well as the risks of old mine workings in the area.”
Ms Young said the land is included in the council’s Local Plan, a development blueprint for the next 15 years that has been submitted to the government for inspection.
She said: “It’s very disappointing to see developers trying to get around this rather than focusing on the sites that have been identified as more suited for development.
“When building happens through speculative applications like this, we don’t get the infrastructure and services needed to support them.
“That’s why I have asked the Planning Minister to protect local councils from these sort of applications whilst they work to make a new local plan.”
The Bloor Homes drop-in event will be half on Friday, July 11 from noon to 7pm at the Miners Social Club, Coalpit Heath Village Hall, Badminton Road.
The developer has put all of its consultation materials and a feedback form online at www.bloorcoalpit.co.uk, with a deadline of July 25 for responses.