In a major intervention, we are challenging the Planning Inspector’s recent decision regarding the Cleve Park development in Thornbury.
Following an inquiry relating to the planning application made by Welbeck Strategic Land LLP for Cleve Park in Thornbury, the Planning Inspector granted permission for the residential development which includes 350 homes, a 70 unit elderly care facility, associated open space, community and commercial facilities, and infrastructure.
We have carefully considered the Inspector’s decision and will be issuing legal proceedings challenging this decision.
In addition we have written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government James Brokenshire, requesting that he exercises his powers to recover the planning appeals relating to developments in Charfield and another in Thornbury from the Planning Inspectors, and make the decisions himself.
These requests relate to two applications, one for outline planning permission for the erection of 121 homes and a retail outlet on land off Wotton Road in Charfield (Barratt Homes, Bristol), and also the appeal relating to land south of Gloucester Road, Thornbury (Bovis Homes Ltd), which seeks outline consent for the demolition of existing agricultural shed buildings and residential development of up to 370 homes, a flexible use building, public open space, accesses onto Gloucester Road and associated infrastructure.
We consider that these appeals, if granted, would undermine the Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) process and its impact upon the residents and communities of South Gloucestershire.
Leader of the Council Cllr Toby Savage said: “Enough is enough. I am determined to see the council take a robust approach to challenging unsustainable development across the district. Where we have taken difficult decisions to proactively and positively plan for future housing and jobs growth, we should not have decisions from the Planning Inspectorate which undermines this work as it only stores up economic, social and environmental problems for the future.”
Cabinet Member for Planning Cllr Colin Hunt said: “In South Gloucestershire we are trying to be plan led with our decisions on planning applications. While we appreciate that we have a shortfall on our five year land supply, nonetheless we want decisions to reflect that we have a solid plan that was prepared in consultation with the public.
“It is not appropriate for Thornbury, Charfield and other locations to be under attack from speculative developers in this way, who are seeking to circumvent the plan led system and community engagement in a manner which undermines the recently submitted JSP.”
