VILLAGERS in Pilning have lambasted the ‘short-sighted’ decision to allow two warehouses to be erected on land off Marsh Common Road.

The proposal had caused an outcry in the area when it was first put forward by developer Harrow Estates as the Ellinghurst farmland fell under a controversial 1957 consent.

The document, which allows developers to go ahead with an application without consulting residents and relaxes the legal construction requirements on the site, was key in allowing the large Tesco distribution centre to be built in the same spot in 2010.

Yet, despite wide opposition from villagers, concerned with noise and light pollution and flood risk, councillors voted unanimously in favour of the depots at a meeting of the development west committee last Thursday.

Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council chairman Ian Roberts had appealed to members to consider the repercussions of building two 24/7 warehouses next to a residential area before the vote. He had also pointed out that the agreement’s buffer zone of 200 metres had been ignored by Harrow Estates.

Former South Gloucestershire councillor for Pilning and Severn Beach and resident Peter Tyzack also spoke against the development.

He said: "There was a vision in 1957 to allow development but to blend it in the rural surroundings and this is the point we are missing here. What is proposed here is rather inadequate."

He added this would be an invitation for urban sprawl in the entire area covered by the 1957 consent, which extends all the way to Easter Compton.

Harrow Estates' agent Jonathon Porter defended the project, saying that although the Environmental Agency had first opposed the plans, it had eventually given them the green light.

"The applicant has considered the potential impact of the proposed development carefully," he told members.

"Consultation has included the Environmental Agency who are satisfied."

The warehouses could create up to 477 jobs in the area.

Under the 1957 consent, the planning authority was only allowed to judge the application on the design, layout and external appearance of the buildings. Councillors were prohibited from taking into account most of the issues raised by residents including noise, transportation and flooding while making their final decision.

Following their approval of the plans, Cllr Roberts told the Gazette: "It’s opening the floodgates for buildings to be built on Marsh Common Road. It’s going to be terrible for the people living there. It has reduced their house prices by £70,000. We are very disappointed. It has not been for want of fighting."