NEW images of the proposed redevelopment of the Castle School sixth form site have been revealed.
A series of artist's impressions of how the development on Gloucester Road, Thornbury could look were released at a public consultation event.
Proposals for 100 homes on the site, currently home to the school's sixth form, were presented to members of the public at the event.
The creation of housing on the land will fund investment into the development of new sixth form buildings at the main Castle School site, along with a new special school at Marlwood, Albeston.
Joint developers South Gloucestershire Council and Aequus Construction Ltd are now considering the feedback they received at the consultation.
A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “Following consideration of the feedback it is proposed for a planning application to be submitted to the council.”
Proposals for two, three and four bedroom houses as well as a number of apartments were outlined.
Three existing buildings - the sixth form school building, the grammar building and the headmaster’s house – are considered to be historically relevant, due to their character and history, and will be retained and refurbished into homes.
Thornbury Town Council discussed the proposals at its planning and town development committee meeting on November 29.
The members questioned the choice of proposed low density housing for the site which appears in the plans.
The council said they were: “concerned at the inclusion of low-density housing, which covers the entire site.
“The town council believe there should be high-density housing, which would preserve a large proportion of the valued green space for public use; this would also be in keeping with the Neighbourhood Plan, and the draft of the new local plan.”
A spokesperson for the joint developers responded: “The mix of units has been informed through discussions with housing policy and suitably qualified local agents assessing demand and need.
“An increase in density will increase parking provision and reduce the amount of green and public open space.”
Thornbury Town Council also stated that it would prefer the ownership and management of any communal open spaces for future maintenance not to be passed to a private management company.
The council said it “would welcome any offer to take on the ownership and management of any communal open spaces for future maintenance, as opposed to these being passed to a private management company.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here