Boost for battle against plans for 80 rural homes
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save precious fields on the edge of Thornbury from 80 new homes have won a reprieve after a U-turn by planners.
Last month, councillors voted by 5-4 to approve proposals for the houses and employment at Crossways, Morton Road.
But the decision at the virtual meeting was ruled invalid because problems with South Gloucestershire Council’s video technology meant the public could not hear the debate online.
So the strategic sites committee was re-run on Thursday when members instead voted 5-4 for a site visit before making a decision – despite the chairman opening the meeting by saying site visits had been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Councillors will now see the area individually accompanied each time by a planning officer.
The delay has been welcomed by residents battling to protect the fields which are popular with walkers and families.
Colin Gardner, of campaign group
Trapp’d (Thornbury Residents Against
Poorly Planned Development), said: “We are very pleased to see that common sense rules, and that members of the committee will have to come out and see the wonderful countryside surrounding the land that they are being asked to give permission to concrete over.
“This decision appears to be on a knife edge, but we are encouraged that committee members are sufficiently concerned to refuse to be bounced by South Gloucestershire Council into approving this application.”
On both occasions, officers recommended granting permission for the homes, including 35 per cent affordable, and one hectare of employment land.
After the decision at last month’s initial meeting was declared null and void, Trapp’d raised £3,000 to gather more evidence and submitted a barrister’s opinion saying the development was not justified.
Thornbury Town Council and 100 residents also objected on grounds including increased traffic and flooding, although officers told the reconvened meeting that neither were considered reasons for refusing the outline plans and that the benefits outweighed harm to two Grade IIlisted buildings.
Applicants Bloor Homes representative Claire Hamilton told members: “The proposal would deliver an attractive and thriving addition to Thornbury.
“The site has been previously accepted by the council for development.
“The mixed-use development will deliver significant benefits including a high-quality living and working environment, financial contributions towards schools and community facilities, provision of new open space, new construction jobs as well as economic benefits and transport improvements.”
She said the developers had withdrawn an appeal to the planning inspectorate over a previous application for 100 homes at the site because they wanted to work with the council on an acceptable scheme. Thornbury ward Cllr Maggie Tyrrell told the meeting: “The whole area has got something very special about it.
“Dotted around are little character cottages and we are very privileged to have that area in our midst.
“It is a brilliant place to walk with your children because you can stop to look at the pigs and hens and the toad crossing.
“In Thornbury there’s a general concern that the infrastructure isn’t keeping pace with the development.
“By the time the current applications that have already been approved are completed, we’ll have 1,500 new homes in the last six or seven years and virtually no change to the services infrastructure in the town.
“It’s just crazy and you just keep throwing more people at us.
“We are getting pretty desperate about the whole situation.”
Committee member Cllr Roger Avenin said: “Even at this late stage I still believe a site visit will be beneficial. This is a very finely balanced and contentious application and a site visit will be imperative.
“It would demonstrate an evenhanded approach to both applicants and objectors and show we’re not just sitting at home in our slippers looking at pictures on a computer but we’re actually going there to see the real thing.”
The whole area has got something very special about it ... It’s just crazy and you just keep throwing more people at us. We are getting pretty desperate about the whole situation
Councillor Maggiee Tyrrel