THORNBURY is 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 town, where residents have angrily protested at hundreds of houses being built to meet government housing needs for South Gloucestershire, has been pinpointed for expansion on a map of the former Avon area under the West of England joint spatial plan 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 three-month consultation asking the public where development should go.

Thornbury is due to see 500 new homes built on controversial site Park Farm, ready for sale in summer 2016, as well as 300 already under construction on Morton Way and just last week the Gazette reported how furious residents were protesting at plans to build another 125 homes on Post Farm.

Brian Glasson, South Gloucestershire Council’s head of strategic planning, said the authority was committed to investing in improved road networks and public facilities at any location in South Gloucestershire which took a share of the new housing.

“We want to make a commitment to South Gloucestershire that we end up with is the most sustainable locations and that those locations also have the infrastructure and investment they need,” said Mr Glasson, who admitted investment had not been made alongside new housing developments in the past.

“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.”

Charfield has also been identified as an area for possible expansion but Mr Glasson said the council would do all it could to protect the Green Belt.

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

As well as searching for housing locations, the joint plan, which would supersede South Gloucestershire Council's existing Core Strategy, 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 and it could not confirm how many of the 29,000 homes would be built in South Gloucestershire.

The three-month consultation will involve roadshows, school talks and in a first 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 One Stop Shop or library.