Housing Bid for 525 homes could be approved despite objections

CONTROVERSIAL plans for 525 homes that would increase a South Gloucestershire village’s population by nearly a half are set to be approved despite more than 400 objections.

- Adam POSTANS Local Democracy Reporter

Councillors are being advised to grant permission for the massive estate called Pennymeads that will extend Charfield’s boundary to the southwest when they make their decision on Thursday.

The development is one of two major sites in the village earmarked for new homes in the local author-ity’s draft housing blueprint, the Local Plan, although this is not yet official policy as it needs to go through public examination by government planning inspectors in spring 2026. The other, for 250 homes on the other side of Charfield, received 230 objections but was given the green light by a planning committee in March.

Land promoter CEG and a local landowners’ consortium are apply-ing to build 525 homes, a neigh-bourhood centre, commercial space, community facilities, three football pitches, allotments, a park and open space on land bordered by the B4058 Wotton Road, Churchend Lane and Little Bristol Lane.