YATE and Chipping Sodbury are being earmarked for even more new housing developments as part of plans to build 85,000 new homes across the West of England by 2036, the Gazette can reveal.

The towns, which are already in the process of taking thousands of new houses to meet government directives for new housing in South Gloucestershire, have been pinpointed for expansion on a map of the former Avon area under the West of England joint spatial which includes Bristol, North Somerset and Bath and North East Somerset.

The four authorities are looking for sites for 29,000 new homes, with 56,000 already planned, and have just launched a consultation asking the public where development should go.

In Yate, building is currently underway on 250 homes at Peg Hill and planning permission for 2,500 houses in north Yate, in a major extension of Brimsham Park across Yate Rocks and north to Rangeworthy, has been granted. Brian Glasson, South Gloucestershire Council’s head of strategic planning, said if Yate and Chipping Sodbury ended up taking additional housing the authority would ensure it invested in the towns’ road networks and public facilities.

“We want to make a commitment to South Gloucestershire, and Yate and Chipping Sodbury, that where we end up is with the most sustainable locations and that those locations all also get the infrastructure and investment,” he told the Gazette.

“Yate and Chipping Sodbury have seen a lot of growth but they have not really seen a lot of investment in infrastructure.

“This is about making informed choices. We know South Gloucestershire communities will have to grow but we want those communities that take the growth to take improvements in infrastructure, transport, retail and public facilities as well.

“We have to ask, are we doing right by our children and our grandchildren? If we say no to development it will come anyway.”

The Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath area is also being considered to take extra housing as well as Pucklechurch, Thornbury and Charfield but Mr Glasson said the council would do all it could to protect the Green Belt.

He said: “We do not envisage having to make further releases of the Green Belt but will maximise urban areas.

“We do not intend to start ripping up the Green Belt. Having said you cannot do a plan without looking at the Green Belt.”

He said South Gloucestershire was experiencing ‘growing pains’ from recent business investment and was a victim of its own success.

“There are lots of benefits from investment,” said Mr Glasson. “We have new communities in South Gloucestershire and it is a successful place where people want to be.”

As well as searching for housing locations, the plan aims to identify possible transport improvements.

Cllr Brian Allinson (Con, Stoke Gifford) said: “We have got housing coming and there is almost gridlock on our roads already.

“We might have to lose a row of trees and people will naturally say they don’t like that but taking no action is not an option if we are going to get out of the problem of being stuck in traffic.

“Motorists are going to have get used to the fact that there will be roadworks in the next few years to get our roads up to standard.”

Cllr Matthew Riddle (Con, Severn), leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We should not shy away from this, but take the initiative and tackle these issues now so that people in every part of the region and future generations can enjoy a sustainable future.

“The plan sets out an ambitious 20-year vision for getting housing built at a pace that meets local need and is affordable, whilst maintaining and building places that communities are proud to call their home.”

The council said no preferred locations or schemes had been identified.

The three-month consultation will involve roadshows, school talks and for the first time for South Gloucestershire Council, comments on social media accounts will be considered. Visit jointplanningwofe.org.uk or follow WEJointPlanning on Twitter or see details at any South Gloucestershire Council One Stop Shop or library or on the authority’s Facebook and Twitter pages.