VILLAGERS are dismayed that a development of a 60-bed dementia care home and 31 houses has been ‘forced onto’ Charfield.


The village fought passionately against the care home and extra housing on Wotton Road, at a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council’s development control committee on  August 27, which gained outline planning approval.

Hannah Saunders, clerk of Charfield Parish Council, said: “While the council recognises that Charfield needs housing, it really wanted to have more of a say over the type of housing – who it was to be for and where was going to be best for it to be sited.”


She said the site is outside of the development boundary, it is subject to restrictions for access and there are a number of listed buildings nearby.


Cllr John O’Neill argued that residents in the village did want to expand but at a steady pace.


“Not one resident has asked for a 60 bed dementia care home,” he said. “Is there a need for it? This development should not be forced onto Charfield.”


The approval for outline planning comes as a blow after developer Gladman Developments won an appeal to build 106 new homes – on land south of Wotton Road.


Cllr Dave Hockey, on the development control committee, said he acknowledged the issues of the number of developments already on Wotton Road.


“I think it is controversial for Charfield and it would be wrong not to put in requirements with input from parish councillors to stop issues which can be discussed and resolved,” he said.


Landowner Waddeton Park Limited applied for the erection of a 60-bed dementia care home and 31 houses including sheltered housing in July last year.


Agent Simon Steele-Perkins argued the development would bring significant benefits to the area.


“This scheme delivers housing in the heart of the village and 16 new jobs that can be taken by local people,” he said.


“We believe it would strengthen the character of the village.


“The scheme provides sheltered housing which there is a need for in the area – it addresses housing needs in the district.”


A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: “Councillors asked that the plans additionally include a legibility study for residents of the dementia unit so that they can find their way around the site.”


He said they also proposed the developer set up a liaison group which will  include representatives from the parish council and local residents.