THORNBURY’S newest councillor has said her aim will be to help the town grow “in a sensible manner” in the midst of numerous housing developments.

Cllr Jayne Stansfield, who was co-opted into the council at Tuesday’s full council meeting following the resignation for former deputy mayor Alan Carman, takes over a post in the town’s north-east ward.

Currently the town faces around 1,500 new homes, with the Thornbury Fields, Post Farm and Park Farm developments already under construction and prospective developments Cleve Park and land west of Gloucester Road awaiting a decision on planning permission.

Speaking to the Gazette, Cllr Stansfield said: “Thornbury is going to grow, we can’t stop that, but it needs to be done in a sensibly manner.

“Too much is happening at once, and as it is currently going, it is likely to get out of control very quickly for our health services and schools, who already feel the strain.

“The council has already done a marvellous job in fighting to preserve the green spaces around the town. I want to make sure that with all the building going on that this work continues. It is important for us to have enough open space for people to enjoy.”

Having applied for the vacant role, Cllr Stansfield, a mathematics education lecturer at UWE, was up against two worthy opponents in Martin Brooks and Iain Hamilton, with the decision being made by councillors in a blind vote.

Following the vote, Cllr Claire Fardell said that “Thornbury should be very proud that we have three excellent candidates coming forward to represent them” – a statement that was echoed by the rest of the council.

Having been involved within the Thornbury community for many years, Cllr Stansfield described herself as “the kind of person who goes in and takes responsibility, it’s just who I am”.

She has previously taught maths at Castle School, set up the town’s long running twins’ group, serving as a parent governor at Crossways School and on the PTA at Marlwood School.

Having been heavily involved with the Thornbury Amateur Dramatic Society (TADS) for many years, she also said that she would be very keen to support initiatives that could promote the artistic community and image of Thornbury.

“I have lived in Thornbury for the past 20 years,” she said. “My children have grown up here. It is a lovely, pleasant place and I want to help make sure it stays that way.”