The consultation for the local plan for house building in South Gloucestershire closes this Friday just before midnight. Respond to the local housing plan on the South Glos Council website.
At this stage of the process there are strict rules about the type of responses and how to respond. Do read the guidance to make sure your submissions are recognised.
Some things to highlight
- Public transport – More houses require more public transport. However, in recent years the areas bordering the potential new developments have seen significant cuts to bus provision. The issue is particularly concerning along the East Fringe where most of the housing is planned. It is also notable that there is still no station on the East Fringe and lack of public transport and increased pressure from cars on the ring road will make the journey to Bristol Parkway even slower in peak times.
- Services – Experiences in recent developments such as Lyde Green show that provision of vital facilities lags a long way behind the building of housing. The secondary school in Lyde Green that has still not opened to students was discussed in the early days of the development of Emersons Green – nearly 30 years ago. Our doctors surgeries and dentists are already struggling to see existing patients.
- Accountability for developers – New rules by the current Government make it easier for developers to build houses. This will, in turn, make it harder for the Council to hold developers to their commitments to build infrastructure and services alongside the new housing.
- Threats to small businesses – Some of the land planned for development is already occupied by local small businesses. We are concerned about the impact on these businesses.
- Damage to the local environment – Any house building damages the environment. This happens in the building processes, in the loss of habitat, and in the environment impact of the new housing for example in increased road use.
What we want to see
The Council is under huge pressure to deliver on tough demands from central Government. We also recognise that there is a need for more affordable homes for the people of South Gloucestershire. And there are some good elements in the local plan, including the commitment to affordable and social housing.
However, it is not a green local plan. We would like to see more investment into bringing existing houses and already developed land back into use. We also want to see more investment in infrastructure and green transport options. And there is a need for any development to be considered alongside the pressing concerns of protecting the environment.