'Out of keeping' Row over 'modern' homes

A MAJOR new housing estate planned northwest of Thornbury has triggered a row over its “modern” appearance, with councillors warning the designs are out of keeping with the rural surroundings.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

They called for the scheme to be rethought, arguing the new houses would “look nothing like farmsteads” despite being built on countryside land.

Up to 595 homes will be built on farmland off Oldbury Lane. South Gloucestershire Council has granted permission for how the first phase of this estate will look and be laid out.

The upcoming development will be adjacent to the newly built Park Farm housing estate, on the edge of town.

Vistry and Sovereign already received outline permission for the development two years ago. But “reserved matters, such as the appearance and layout, formed this second application for the first phase of the estate including 179 homes. The rest of the homes will be in later phases.

Councillors on the strategic sites delivery committee voted to approve the housing development by five votes in favour and two against.