Conservative councillors have spoken of their disappointment that a new housing development in Charfield has been approved, despite them voting against it.
Last week, controversial plans for 250 new homes to be built in Charfield were approved by South Gloucestershire Council.
The plans received more than 230 objections from local residents.
The Conservative councillors on the council’s planning committee – Cllr Liz Brennan, Cllr Carol Strange and Cllr Trevor Jones – voted against the plans on the grounds that local infrastructure and public services were insufficient to support the additional homes.
Key public amenities such as a doctor’s surgery did not feature in the plans and doubts emerged about the viability of local education provision.
Cllr Liz Brennan, the Conservative Group’s Lead Member on the Strategic Sites Delivery Committee, said: “I am thoroughly disappointed that the plans for 250 homes at this location in Charfield were approved.
“The planning committee heard numerous objections from residents, all largely on the grounds that the local infrastructure cannot support such a large increase in housing numbers. If developments of this size are going to be brought forward, we need to make sure the infrastructure is in place first.
“Me and my Conservative Group colleagues were not satisfied that there was a proper long term plan for public services to be improved in Charfield to support this development, so we voted against it.
“It’s hugely disappointing that it was approved despite residents’ legitimate objections.”
The new housing development is called Charfield Meadows and will be situated north of Wotton Road.
Despite the three Conservative councillors voting against the plans, they were approved due to the council’s Liberal Democrat and Labour members voting in favour.
