RESIDENTS of a village near Berkeley have come out in force to raise their objections to plans for a university rowing team to build a new clubhouse on the banks of the canal which they fear ‘could be the end of the village’.

A planning application was submitted last month for the redevelopment of Bridge House, Purton, to enable it to be used as a clubhouse by the rowing team at the University of the West of England (UWE).

It follows a consultation in March 2015 hosted by UWE staff in the village where the plans were first unveiled.

More than a dozen villagers have submitted their objections to Stroud District Council, raising concerns including traffic and noise pollution.

In a letter to the Gazette, Ken Price, who lives in the village, hit out at the proposal.

He wrote: “This could be the end of our village as we know and appreciate it.

“The disturbance to the wildlife would be unbearable and gone the lovely, tranquil walks enjoyed by villagers and visitors alike, there are not many small villages left where people can enjoy such beautiful surroundings.

“I think there should be a meeting called for all Purton residents to discuss what we are about to lose and also Hinton, Brookend, Halmore and Breadstone as they will be suffering the traffic problems too, and all visitors and friends who oppose such a project.”

The application seeks permission to convert the existing building into a “rowing club facility” including the erection of a boathouse and a new pontoon.

Ray Brown, who is managing the project for the university’s rowing club, said traffic created as a result of the clubhouse would be minimal.

“We have had concerns raised before about traffic in the village – particularly regarding the car park, but we have no intention to use it,” he told the Gazette.

“Minibuses will be used to transport students to and from the clubhouse, as the plans show, and these will be contained on-site.

“There will also be very little rowing in the summer when traffic would be at its worst as our rowing season starts in September before coming down to a smaller group of elite athletes by Easter. After that point the students will have exams so use will be much lower.”

“I want to reinforce the point that we wish to be a good neighbour to people in Purton.

“We want to work with the community and will do all we can to do that”
A decision on the application is expected to be made in the coming weeks.