Campaigners against hundreds of new homes on the eastern outskirts of Bristol are urging South Gloucestershire Council leaders to consider the impact on existing communities.
Members of Save Our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire (SOGS-SG) spoke up at a cabinet meeting in November about concerns over damage to the environment, possible flooding, worse traffic jams and air pollution, and extra pressure on healthcare and schools.
They are opposing the council’s imminent Local Plan, which will outline where homes could be built over the next 15 years to meet the huge demand for housing.
Campaigner Darren Lawrence told the meeting: “The loss of hedgerows, trees, shrubs and more may seem insignificant to South Gloucestershire Council. This benefits not just our ecosystem but has an important role in preventing flooding. The council has not reassured residents that they will prevent further catastrophic flooding in the area.
“We already lack timely access to healthcare in the area. Building thousands of new homes will only add to this crisis, and people will die unnecessarily. Traffic is already a huge concern. As an example, the A420 is seen as unsafe with intense traffic volumes. How is the council going to manage the inevitable increase in traffic?
“It’s a brutal and destructive plan for the local people. The reality of what’s being pushed on local people I feel will have massive consequences. We have to find a balance. We ask you to come to the table and have a balanced and honest conversation. If I have to buy the coffees, I will do so.”
Eileen Tilley told the meeting: “As a local community, we don’t feel we’re being engaged with. “The land being targeted is agricultural and in the Green Belt. Both as a community and a country, we really cannot afford to lose agricultural land. Traffic congestion along the A4175 would increase dramatically, due to increased cars in the area and new residents having to commute out of Oldland for work. Public transport is woefully inadequate.”
The council published its Emerging Preferred Strategy earlier this year, outlining potential sites for about 20,000 homes but since then the new Labour-led Government has said more development will be needed to tackle the housing crisis.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Willmore, cabinet member for planning, regeneration and infrastructure, said: “We all know people who can’t afford to buy or even rent their own home, and are stuck in the spare room at their parents’. We all know couples who want to set out in life with that most precious step of setting up a home, having children and building a family, and they’re stuck with mum and dad.
Labour Cllr Ian Boulton, co-leader of the council, added: “I had a resident only this morning who is facing homelessness, a well-regarded member of our community who has applied for social housing. Despite this man facing homelessness, there are other people ahead of him. We need housing, it’s as stark as that. Many of us have the privilege of owning our homes. We have to think about everyone else.”
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracxy Reporting Service