Woodlands Farm discussed at hearing

Claire and Pat both attended the Examination in Public (EIP) on July 12th, along with some local residents. Barratt Homes' representative certainly pushed very hard to persuade the Government Inspector that he should identify Woodlands Farm as an area suitable for development. He claims that because the combined populations of Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath is larger than the population of Thornbury, it should be regarded as a town suitable for an urban extension rather than a village in the Rural Areas section of the Core Strategy. South Gloucestershire Officers strongly opposed these views.

Barratt Homes' representative hasn’t just made these points on 12th July. He has managed to secure a place at many of the sessions throughout the EIP. This included the final session on July 18th when he was determined to continue making his point right up to the close of play.

The Inspector clearly feels that the Council has not identified sufficient land for development, at least in the early years. South Gloucestershire Officers have addressed this by agreeing some changes to phasing and also to carrying out a review within 10 years. Developers were suggesting a suspension of the Core Strategy to enable it to be changed now. Barratt Homes suggested just suspending the housing figures, so that developers who had planning applications ready for submission could have them dealt with without these being in place!

The Inspector closed the EIP stating that it would take him 3 to 4 weeks to consider everything and propose any modifications which he felt were necessary for him to assess the Core Strategy as “sound”. Any proposed changes would have a 6 week public consultation period before he made his final decision. He estimates that this will be around the end of October.

Inspector sets date for public inquiry on Core Strategy

Thank you to all who took the time to respond to the consultation on South Gloucestershire’s Core Strategy. Across the whole of South Gloucester shire most comments were seeking to protecting Woodlands Farm from development .

We understand that Barratt Homes will be seeking to have Woodlands identified for development in the Core Strategy rather than making a planning application at this stage.

The Inspector who will be holding the Public Inquiry into the proposals in the Core Strategy has announced that it will start on Tuesday 19^th June in Kingswood Civic Centre. He will have a pre- meeting about it on Tuesday 17^th April also in Kingswood Civic Centre.

These will be open to the public so if you are interested you can turn up. Anyone wishing to speak at the Examination in Public will have to put in a request by Tuesday 12th April.

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council will be discussing whether they will seek to be represented at their meeting on 4^th April, 7.30pm in the Brockeridge Centre. Westerleigh Parish Council next meet on 2nd April, 7.15pm in the Manor Hall, Coalpit Heath.

The Save Woodlands Farm action group are keen to get as many posters up as possible as the inspector may make a site visit. If you would like a poster at cost price, please contact Richard on 01454 776693 or rjmerrick@blueyonder.co.uk .

Woodlands Farm campaign hits the front page

The campaign to save Woodlands Farm from development hit the front page of the Gazette this week. Well done to Richard Merrick, organiser of the Save Woodlands Farm action group, and all the residents who turned out at very short notice.

220 new dwellings proposed for Park Farm

Barratt Homes Bristol are proposing to build "Windmill Green" on the fields overlooked by Heather Avenue, Park Lane, St Saviour's Rise and Kelbra Crescent. A shop is included.

You have until Tuesday 4th November to have your say. It is vital that everyone who has views makes them clear to the planners by letter or email before the deadline. It would help your local Focus Team to represent your views better if you could let one of your Focus Team and your Parish Council have a copy.

You can view the plans online or drop in to the Brockeridge Centre on any weekday morning.

Frampton Cotterell Parish Council will be deciding their comments on 27th October at 7.30pm at the Brockeridge Centre. Parishioners are welcome to attend and give their views. We expect South Gloucestershire's Planning Committee to make their decision in a meeting starting at 2.30pm on 11th December in the Council Chamber at Thornbury Council Offices after visiting the site on 28th November. It will help them know the importance to local people if you attend, but please check before you go by phoning the Council on 01454 864425 or by contacting one of your Focus Team.

Barratt Homes proposals

Last week Barratt Homes held an exhibition in Zion Church Hall showing how they would like to develop land next to Park Farm. As you may have read in the Evening Post, your local Focus team believe this is jumping the gun. The Council's consultation on where the thousands of new homes being imposed on South Gloucestershire should be built hasn't even started yet!

If you oppose these proposals, you might like to write to Barratt Homes. If you do, keep a copy of your letter. It will be really important that you also respond to the Council's consultation. Watch this space for more information on how to do this when the time comes.