Have your say on revised planning blueprint

February 17th is the closing date for any comments on the strategic planning proposals for South Glos up to 2027. These are contained in the Draft Core Strategy published by SGC at the end of December. Copies are in Libraries and One Stop Shops or they can be viewed online.

The story so far

The Government Planning Inspector appointed to consider the Core Strategy postponed the Public Inquiry scheduled for October to allow the Council to reconsider the number of homes it was proposing, justify the Green Belt boundaries and put forward proposals for Filton Airfield in the light of the BAE’s intention to close it.

In response to this the Council is now accepting 22,340 new homes should be built instead of 18,150. These extra homes would be accommodated on Filton Airfield, land that would have been too close to an operational airfield and on a further release of Green Belt land at Cribbs Causeway. Further employment is also proposed in these areas. With the 4,060 homes already completed since 2006, this would make a total of 26,400 new homes in the period 2006-2026 and beyond.

How does this affect our area?

It is hoped that these proposals will satisfy the Inspector and that he will accept that there should not be any addition to the 3,000 homes proposed for Yate, any loss of Green Belt beyond the motorways or any changes to the proposals for the Rural Areas. The current proposals for the Rural Areas would mean that local communities would have the opportunity over the next 5 years to come forward with proposals for where they consider any further development to meet local needs should be accommodated.

We already know that Barratts are unlikely to accept this and are likely to be proposing over 400 houses in Coalpit Heath. We also know that Bloor Homes & Sydney Freed Holdings are preparing plans for hundreds of homes and some office development at Engine Common.

What can you do?

You can view the Post Submission Draft Core Strategy either on line or see a hard copy available at libraries and the Council’s One Stop Shops. Turn to Appendix 2 where you will find:

• The Vision for the Rural Areas is the last point of paragraph 4.1 on page 23 and 4.27 and 4.28 on page 33.

• The commitment to empowering local communities to shape the future of their communities through Neighbourhood Planning is paragraph 16.32 followed by the Vision on page 192 with the  policy for the Rural Areas, CS34 on page 193 followed up in paragraph 16.8.

 If you feel they should be supported then you should take the opportunity to respond to the consultation before 17th February.