CAMPAIGNERS against 1,000 homes on a flood plain in Chipping Sodbury have welcomed the support of South Gloucestershire Council.
Protestors fighting plans for the houses, on St John’s Way, said they have been encouraged by news that the local authority opposes the development of the site.
In a recent email sent to residents who have complained about the planned housing scheme, spatial planning team manager Patrick Conroy said he wanted to assure people in the town that the council would not support the plans.
He said: "Please be assured that South Gloucestershire Council does not support proposals for up to 1,000 houses and business park east of St John’s Way.
"The council does not consider this proposal, which is being promoted by a private developer, to be sustainable or required in Chipping Sodbury."
South Gloucestershire has been told by the Government it must find space for 32,800 new homes by 2026 and five areas in Yate and Chipping Sodbury have been identified for the development of 3,000 houses including land at Chipping Sodbury east, Engine Common, north Brimsham and Chipping Sodbury north.
Although the Government’s Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) has not yet been finalised, a number of developers have already earmarked sites for large-scale housing estates.
Mr Conroy said: "Notwithstanding this, the council remains resolutely committed to objecting to the unacceptable high levels of growth of our communities.
"Moreover, the council also has very strong concerns about the suitability of land east of Chipping Sodbury as a possible location for future development."
He said the reason the site was included in a workshop event with local councillors and interested parties last year was so the council could justify its objections to the RSS.
"We held this event because in response to proposals put forward by developers following the RSS, including the proposals by developers at Chipping Sodbury, we wished to test a number of different options for development and to hear what the community representatives thought," said Mr Conroy.
"It must be stated quite clearly that no decisions have yet been made about the location or the amount of development that is appropriate for your community.
"However, in order that we have the very best available information to justify our objections to the RSS and tell the Government those areas which we think should not be developed and the reasons why, it is important we continue to carry our further work. This involves talking to community representatives and testing the options put forward by developers."
Northavon MP Steve Webb, who has campaigned against the number of new homes in South Gloucestershire, said the letter was a good sign.
He said: "It is encouraging that the council sees the folly of this particular proposal. The pressure from residents and ourselves is starting to pay off.
"This is a welcome step but we do need a strong line from the council on development in Yate and Chipping Sodbury as a whole."
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