Chris makes formal objection to plans to build on
green belt land in Oldland Common

Chris has written to South Gloucestershire Council's planning committee, setting out his objections to the planning application to build on green belt land at Oldland Common, which has come about as a result of the government's Regional Spatial Strategy, which is seeking to build houses on local greenbelt land, despite strong local opposition.

Chris' letter is below:

Dear South Gloucestershire Council,

Planning Application PK09/5056/O

I am writing to submit my personal objections to the planning application PK09/5056/O which is on Green Belt land to the east of Barry Road, Oldland Common for the following reasons:

Green Belt:

The site for development is currently classed as Green Belt land, which is in place to prevent unsustainable urban sprawl. Although the Government’s draft South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) is proposing to remove Green Belt status from this land, it is yet to be finalised and therefore any such planning application is premature. Moreover, the RSS is currently on hold as the East of England RSS has been rejected following a Court decision. This raises further issues with the way the Government’s RSS has identified strategic development locations, in which local communities and councils have had little say over the number of houses being imposed upon them. Therefore no decision should be made on allowing development on Green Belt land in South Gloucestershire until the Government has announced how it is going to proceed. Contrary to the developers’ claims in the local paper, South Gloucestershire has not run out of more appropriate non green belt development land.

There is also a significant point to be made about the timing of the application. The Conservative Party, if elected to government, has also pledged to abolish Regional Spatial Strategy and overturn any planning applications made on the back of the government’s RSS. Instead, local councils will be able to decide appropriate levels of development, and numbers of houses to be built in the local area.

Threats to local infrastructure:

The Government has caused local services and facilities to be over stretched with the radical downgrading of Frenchay Hospital and poor levels of investment in our schools (South Gloucestershire already receives the second lowest level of funding per pupil in the country). Forcing upon South Gloucestershire an extra 33,000 houses through the RSS, of which this planning application is 450 towards, will further overstretch local services.

Transport:

A lack of Government support on public transport provision has already led to dire levels of congestion on the local highway network and any extra development will worsen these existing capacity problems. The local road network in the village would not be able to cope with the extra density of traffic.

Out of keeping with the local area:

The proposed density and style of the new housing would be out of keeping with the character of the existing local neighbourhood and the village feel of Oldland Common.

Loss of access to unique open space:

The proposed development site is an important local gateway to much-needed open space, which has an important role to play in promoting healthier and more active lifestyles. The site also provides access to local wildlife and so is of significant ecological importance.

Local Petition against Development:

I have received over 400 responses to a petition against the Barry Road development which I have set up. I will be presenting these signatures to the council and would like for the petition to be considered as evidence of the extremely strong local opposition to this planning application.

I hope that you see that this planning application is taking advantage of deeply unpopular Government policy that goes against the wishes of the people of Oldland Common, which may also be overturned due to legal action. The Conservative Party has also pledged to abolish the Regional Spatial Strategy if elected to government, and also overturn any speculative planning applications made on the back of it. In mind of all these objections, I strongly oppose the development at Barry Road and urge South Gloucestershire council to refuse planning permission.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Skidmore
Bitton