Westerleigh Parish Council votes against new homes

Tonight Westerleigh Parish Council voted unanimously to say no to the principle of 20 new homes at Westerleigh village.

The proposal would have led to the village settlement boundary being extended and the chosen site plus part of the existing village removed from the Green Belt. Parish Councillors heard from a succession of residents opposed to new housing. Reasons given included concerns about increased traffic, pressure on the sewage system, the threat to wildlife, damage to the rural character and whether it would open the floodgates to further development. Residents did not feel that 20 new homes would support the shop or other facilities and expressed scepticism that they would attract younger people to live in the village.

Agents spoke for the landowners of the two sites that South Glos had suggested might be suitable for development. They were the only voices raised in support.

The Chair proposed the no vote on the basis that there was no clear consensus that development would sustain the viability of the village, that the infrastructure would not support it and there was no evidence young people would be willing to move to the village.

South Glos Council will now retain the current settlement boundary and Green Belt designation for Westerleigh village in the PSP Plan.