WINTERBOURNE residents say they will “stand united” to protect fields where a developer wants to build 124 homes.
Waddeton Park wants to build the homes on Hicks Common, opposite the village duck pond, on a greenfield site with views across the Frome Valley.
The company says the development would create a “high-quality, sustainable community”, with more than two thirds of the site becoming open space and half of the homes classed as ‘affordable’, for social rent or shared ownership.
But more than 1,000 people have joined a group opposing the plans, saying they fear for the effect on wildlife and their community if the plans go ahead.
Waddeton Park, a land promoter and investor, says the land is currently privately-owned, with no public access.
It says the development would turn 68% of the site into public open space, including community allotments, orchards, meadow grassland/common and recreational green space and play space.
A spokesperson said: “Our objective is to provide the planning framework for a high-quality, sustainable community as a place to live for both current and future residents, delivering local open market and affordable housing whilst supporting and improving existing and new local services and facilities.
“By giving over half of the application site to open space, protected in perpetuity by legal agreement, for the community and nature, it establishes a defined edge to the Green Belt that protects Winterbourne.”
Waddeton Park says it would retain existing trees and stone walls along Hicks Common Road as part of the plan, and there would be “large areas of public open space along the road frontage and especially around the duck pond”.
A map of the development site. Picture: Waddeton Park
The spokesperson said: “The biodiversity of the site is relatively low having been used for grazing and a measurable improvement can be achieved as part of development to support the neighbouring Frome Valley.”
It says road access would be off Hicks Common Road.
Waddeton Park conducted a short informal online consultation, which finished in December, ahead of a formal planning application. It did not inform the media, including the Voice, in advance.
Opponents have formed a campaign called Save Hicks Common, which had already gained more than 1,000 members on Facebook by the middle of December.
They say the development would obscure the “much-loved view” from the pond across open fields towards Huckford Viaduct, and also add to the strain on roads, village amenities, wildlife habitats and affect the natural boundary of the Frome Valley between Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell.
Winterbourne resident Martin Parsons said: “It has been inspiring to see the Winterbourne community pull together in opposition to this development. Hundreds of residents are making their voices heard.
“The proposed site is an iconic landscape at the heart of our village, and we are determined to protect it.”
Georgina Plummer-Brooks said: “Our community has come together with one clear message: this Hicks Common land matters.
“The land has so much character, ecology, and heritage of the countryside we all depend on.
“We stand united in protecting this landscape for future generations, and we call on decision-makers to listen to the voices of the people who live, work, and care for this place every day.”
Marcus Forsey said: “I’m deeply worried about what this proposed development means for our children’s future. Hicks Common and the Frome Valley are some of the last unspoiled areas in North Bristol, where families can walk together and teach their children about wildlife and nature without the need to travel elsewhere.”
Yi Zhuang said: “Our area already struggles with overstretched GPs and extremely limited public transport. Adding hundreds of new residents without improving essential services and infrastructure is neither sustainable nor responsible. Development should not come at the cost of our well-being and the character of our community.”
Sheelagh Mason said: “There are already significant planning applications in the pipeline and collectively these will further contribute to the existing gridlock that regularly occurs on the High Street, Flaxpits Lane, Down Road and other surrounding roads.”
Top photo: Residents protest at the duck pond opposite Hicks Common in Winterbourne. Picture: Platinum Photography UK