Luxury homes Approved despite eco worries

PLANS for seven luxury homes at a wildlife haven on the outskirts of Bristol have been approved despite fears for bats, badgers, otters, water voles and other protected species.

- Adam POSTANS Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

South Gloucestershire councillors granted permission for the large detached houses at the Willows, a steeply sloping site at the eastern end of California Road, Oldland Common.

More than 220 residents objected to the proposals, along with both Oldland and Bitton parish councils, but the development management committee voted by 5-3 to give the go-ahead after hearing the site could be cleared at any time because there were no tree preservation orders, as long as the protected animals were not harmed.

Neither the council’s ecologist or the Environment Agency objected, subject to conditions, and planning officers recommended granting consent, even though they admitted "all species on site will be impacted by a loss of habitat".

South Gloucestershire Council development manager Marie Bath told the meeting on Thursday, September 4, that a wildlife corridor would be retained and a "ramshackle" house and outbuildings on site were subject to arson and vandalism and would be demolished under the plans.