Housing Councillor hits out at 'last-minute' plans for 450 homes

THE developers behind a controversial proposal to build 450 new homes on Green Belt land between Bristol and Yate have submitted a formal planning application to South Gloucestershire Council. Bloor Homes undertook community consultation on its plans for the 'new neighbourhood' to the east of the small village of Coalpit Heath earlier this year.

- Angus MCINTYRE

The large development includes a provision for 225 'affordable' homes and would increase the size of Coalpit Heath by about fifty per cent if it was approved. The location of the proposed development has prompted opposition from some local councillors, and Thornbury and Yate MP Clare Young.

South Gloucestershire Council is finalising details for its new 'local plan, which will guide where and how new homes, employment land and community-supporting infrastructure will be developed between 2026 and 2041.

The plan, which is before the Government's Planning Inspectorate for review, precludes construction on the land Bloor Homes has earmarked for its new development.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jon Lean, who represents the Frampton Cotterell ward which covers Coalpit Heath, said the developers had deliberately tried to sneak in their application at the last minute.