PLANS to double the size of Falfield have been rejected today.

Proposals for the 115-home development put forward by Cotswold Homes were heard by South Gloucestershire Council’s development control committee today, a development that would see the number of homes in the village increase by 130 per cent.

It had been expected that the development would be granted planning permission, but in a surprise turn, the committee chose to reject the proposals, citing a number of issues including the pressure of increased traffic around the M5 motorway junction, drainage and that the development added nothing of value to the settlement.

Speaking before the committee, Mike Glenn, managing director of Cotswold Homes, said that he felt the committee should consider the proposals, explaining that it would help the county reach its required housing targets.

He acknowledged that there was considerable opposition from residents but said that through the consultation process they had sought wherever possible to take on board the detailed comments put to them.

Included in the proposals was outlines for a park-and-share facility for 100 cars, a community orchard, village green and outdoor activity area.

Speaking to the council in opposition to the development were the chairmen of Ham and Stone Parish Council and Falfield Parish Council, Cllrs Penny Wrider and Jane Hathaway as well as Falfield resident Sue Hicks who represented the Falfield Action Group.

The trio outlined the flaws in the proposals, claiming that junction 14 of the M5 is already “a bottleneck” and that “the proposals would be detrimental to highway safety”.

Cllr Wrider added that “neither Falfield nor Stone has the infrastructure to cope with such an influx of new housing, schooling, transport, and social services.”

“I know we have a problem with housing and not providing enough but this is just unsustainable,” said committee member Cllr Eve Orpen. “We are saying let’s build some houses, drop some people there and let them find their own way around.”

Cllr Roger Avenin said: “We have no added facilities from this development and the flooding problem is worse than we expected.”

Regarding the site’s history of farming barley, he then asked officers “Are there any nice workds in our policy documents to direct development towards brownfield land or areas of low quality land before giving them prime agricultural land?”

A motion to grant planning permission put forward by Cllr Dave Hockey, which was seconded by Cllr Dave Chubb, was defeated in a vote of 7-4 against the motion, which was applauded by the dozens of Falfield residents in attendance.

“We are truly overwhelmed by the decision," said Cllr Hathaway.

“I am extremely pleased that so many councillors realise it is an unsuitable proposal for our village – the lack of facilities, traffic issues and worries over flooding are clearly too much to avoid.

“It has been a hard 18-month slog, we have worked hard on it and would like to thank the Ham and Stone Parish Council and Falfield Action Group for their support.

“We realise that it might go to appeal so we will prepare for that when it comes.”