MORE than 600 people have objected to plans to build homes on fields in the heart of Winterbourne.
Developer Waddeton Park has submitted a formal planning application to build up to 124 homes on Hicks Common, opposite the village duck pond, on a greenfield site with views across the Frome Valley.
It says the application will create much-needed homes, including affordable housing, and open green spaces on land that is currently privately-owned to the public.
But residents have come out in force against the plans. As of June 3, there had been 603 objections – with just nine people writing in support, and hundreds also attending a protest at the site.
Waddeton Park has lodged an application for outline planning permission with South Gloucestershire Council, details of which were published at the end of April.
Plans ‘meet a need’ for homes
A planning statement by agents Copperfield Land and Planning says the homes would meet “an immediate local need”.
They say 50% would be affordable – available for social rent or shared ownership – and 5% (equivalent to six homes) would be self-build.
The agents say there would be new allotments, a community orchard, play area and circular walking routes, along with “publicly accessible natural green space with views that better reveal the Huckford Viaduct and facilitating an appreciation of the wider countryside from family friendly, natural and biodiverse recreational spaces”.
They said: “The proposals meet a need for affordable and market homes at a sustainable settlement, Winterbourne, which already benefits from schools, shops, doctors, public transport and a wide range of other local services all within a convenient distance of the site.
“The proposals would provide for a walkable neighbourhood.
“The scheme is landscape led, with 68% of this currently private land being opened to the public with a range of green spaces. 32% of the site is proposed to be developed at a density, character and scale commensurate with this part of Winterbourne.”
Waddeton Park’s plan shows where buildings would go
Residents have objected to the plans for the land, currently used as a livery for horses, on multiple grounds, including protection of the Green Belt, the site’s environmental and heritage significance and the landscape and views it forms part of.
Objections also include the impact on traffic local services and the community of new homes being built without adequate infrastructure.
‘Dreadful for the village’
Among the hundreds of written objections on the council’s website, Martin Izzard said: “This development going forward as planned would be dreadful for the village.
“The increased amount of traffic and footfall that would come with this development, without additional public resources and services, would make the village busier.”
Megan Griffiths said: “Our social and health services are already stretched to their limits – how will our village cope with thousands of new residents? Waiting times for GP appointments are already at weeks, if not months, so this would only push our local NHS services to their absolute limit.”
Alan Eveleigh said: “The fields and hedgerows around Hicks Common towards the Frome Valley provide a vital home for wildlife including, foxes, deer, bats, butterflies and a wide variety of birds.”
Robert Tully said: “This is like building on the Downs in Bristol and blocking the view of the Suspension Bridge in the process.”
‘We will be ready for battle’
Within 48 hours of the application being published, more than 100 people lined the pavement of Hicks Common Road for a protest organised by the Save Hicks Common community group.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The site is in the beautiful natural landscape of the Frome Valley, and local people are determined that the valley should not be built on.
“The area is designated Green Belt, and not included for development in the proposed Local Plan for South Gloucestershire, which is currently undergoing examination.”
The spokesperson said the Local Plan proposes to keep the area as Green Belt and other policies also protect the landscape and “strategic viewpoint” at the duck pond across the Frome Valley, which the development plans conflict with, adding: “If this is the start of the battle to protect this sensitive area of the village, we will be ready.”
The plans can be viewed on the planning section of South Gloucestershire Council’s website by searching for application P26/00791/O. The page is open for comments until June 16.
Save Hicks Common has its own website here.
Top picture: Residents opposed to the plan line Hicks Common Road overlooking the site during a demonstration. Picture: Simon Goodwin.