PLANS to build 280 homes on farmland at Shortwood have been shown to the public.
The Rock House Farm development site, north of Main Road in the village, is one of several Green Belt sites east of the A4174 that could be developed if South Gloucestershire Council’s draft Local Plan is approved.
The owners of the land – which is also bordered by the Avon Ring Road opposite Pomphrey Hill North playing fields, Cattybrook Road and the B4465 road to Pucklechurch – are working with Lightwood Strategic, a “land promoter” that identifies potential sites for new housing and takes them through the planning process before they are sold on to developers.
The plans include 280 homes, of which 40% would be classed as affordable, for social rent or shared ownership schemes, with employment and a retail, cafe or community building.
More than 60 people came to an exhibition organised by Lightwood and planning consultants Origin3 at Pomphrey Pavilion in July.
It was part of an informal consultation ahead of an outline planning application to the council, which is likely to be made around the end of October.
Lightwood Strategic planning and design director Richard Walker said the business had first been involved with the site in 2019, and had put it forward for inclusion in the Local Plan.
He said a change in government policy on housebuilding meant the site could be redesignated from its current Green Belt status to ‘Grey Belt’ land, where development could take place.
After the exhibition Mr Walker said: “I doubt anyone in the room really wants the change that is being proposed, but I sensed a resigned acceptance that development would probably take place, given the drive to meet the area’s future housing needs.
“Attention focused on how the council’s emerging policy requirement for the site (280 dwellings) could be addressed in a way that would reduce impacts on the village and existing residents.”
He said the main concern raised by people at the consultation was the vehicle access to the site.
At present the only access planned is via Cattybrook Road, close to its junction with Main Road, with the opposite side of the site accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles only.
Mr Walker said those plans “follow the lead” of proposals in the council’s Local Plan.
He added: “Property owners backing on the site were understandably very concerned and there was much discussion concerning the future relationship of existing properties with new buildings/streets and activity.
“We have entered into a phase of pre-application engagement with the local planning authority and all the issues raised by local people will be set out and discussed.”
Lightwood has also met with Pucklechurch Parish Council and the independent Design West Review Panel ahead of submitting a formal planning application.