Core Strategy - Woodlands Farm and Engine Common

In June and July a Planning Inspector held the public inquiry for South Gloucestershire’s Core Strategy, its planning blueprint for development up to 2027. 

Representatives of the developers tried very hard to convince the Inspector that Woodlands Farm and Engine Common should be earmarked for development. As those of you who have already read the Inspector’s “Preliminary Findings and Main Modifications” will know, he has not accepted their proposals. He agrees with South Gloucestershire Council that rural communities should shape their own areas through Neighbourhood Planning. Sites in these areas would be small scale, up to 30 dwellings.

This is not the end of the story. It is not celebration time for those seeking to protect Woodlands Farm or Engine Common from development.

Although the Inspector endorsed the total number of homes planned for up to 2027, he did not agree with the council that more of the development should happen in the later years. He stated that 1,588 dwellings must be built each year in South Gloucestershire, with an additional “buffer” of 20%. The council has to show through an “Interim Housing Statement” that some of the sites already proposed could be developed sooner than currently planned or identify new strategic sites to cover the shortfall.

The Inspector’s “Preliminary Findings and Main Modifications” is a consultation document and it could be changed.

 A very impressive number of letters were written to point out why Woodlands Farm and Engine Common should not be allocated for development in the Core Strategy. There is the opportunity until November 16th to:

• welcome the fact that Woodlands Farm or Engine Common has not been identified in the Inspector’s proposals;
• welcome his support for local communities involvement in planning the future of their areas;
• state why you believe that Woodlands Farm or Engine Common should not be identified in the Interim Housing Statement as a possible strategic development site. 

Responses can be sent to: planningLDF@southglos.gov.uk

All information about the Core Strategy including the “Preliminary Findings and Main Modifications” is at www.southglos.gov.uk/corestrategy

If you have any queries, please contact Pat Hockey (pat.hockey@southglos.gov.uk).