The new Local Plan will determine housing and other planning across South Gloucestershire between 2026 and 2041.
This plan, that was produced by Lib Dem and Labour Councillors over the last twenty months, massively increases the number of houses in Almondsbury Parish. Currently, looking at Council Tax data, there are about 2,850 homes in Almondsbury Parish. By the end of the plan this will have grown by another 1,714 houses - a 60% increase, and, with a further 1,416 houses after the end of the plan, this gives a total increase of 3,130 houses. This is over a 100% increase, therefore more than doubling the number of houses in Almondsbury Parish. There are also plans for employment land to be developed next to Oaklands Drive.
We are concerned about the sheer number of houses, but also concerned about the loss of Green Belt, increased traffic on local country lanes and through the village and hamlets, and increased traffic on the A38 and junctions 16 and 17 of the M5. We are also worried about the capacity in our local primary schools, which are already full, and whether existing families that already live in the parish will be able to access places in those schools going forward. At the key South Gloucestershire Council meeting on February 12th Cllr Matthew Riddle spoke against the plans and voted against the proposal, but the Lib Dem and Labour Councillors used their majority on the Council to push it through to the next stage.
There is now another six-week consultation on the plan ending on 11th April, after which it will go to the national Planning Inspectorate, who will then look at the plan and hold public meetings next Spring. The Planning Inspector(s) will then decide whether or not it: 1. is sound? 2. is legally compliant? and 3. has been prepared in accordance with the duty to co-operate?
More information of how you can object can be found on the SGC website at: https://localplan.commonplace.is
Cllr. Matthew Riddle and Cllr. Keith Burchell have launched a petition against the plans for Almondsbury Parish, please contact them if you would like to sign the petition, this can be done online or on a paper copy:
Contact details:
Cllr. Matthew Riddle - South Gloucestershire Councillor for the Severn Vale Ward (including Almondsbury, Hortham, Gaunts Earthcott and Woodhouse Down) - [email protected] - mobile: 07877413298
Cllr. Keith Burchell - Almondsbury Parish Councillor - [email protected] - mobile: 07790332462
