CAMPAIGNERS in Thornbury have said plans to expand a 125-home development could be the first case of “death by 1,000 additions”.

The Post Farm site being built off Butt Lane in Thornbury could expand by a further 40 homes, with developer Linden Homes confirming they intend to submit a planning application later next month.

The site is one of several in the immediate area, with planning permission having been granted to the nearby Park Farm, Thornbury Fields and Land West of Gloucester Road.

Further developments, the Land South of Gloucester Road and Cleve Park sites, are being taken to appeal by developers – the total number of prospective and approved homes now more than 1,800.

A Linden Homes spokesman said that they were currently looking at plans for a “phase two” on their Post Farm development in Thornbury and confirmed they aimed to submit an application in February.

He said: “This would be a relatively small addition with up to 40 houses included. It would be low density with access as before, off Butt Lane.”

But Colin Gardner, co-chairman of Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development (TRAPP’D) said that while the application “would not be the biggest hit” the town has taken, “it is the cumulative effect, death by 1,000 additions almost”.

He said: “Thornbury is struggling to cope with the volume and speed of new developments coming left, right and centre. This proposal is not in any spatial plan and will potentially make things worse.”

“Developers know how to work the system - once they obtain outline planning for a large site then all the conditions and restrictions are quickly trampled over.” 

Fellow TRAPP’D co-chairman Roger Hall added that as the application would push the site past the boundary set by others, it could result in the other developers pushing for similar extensions. 

“With 40 more homes how can you object to it and expect anyone to take you seriously? It seems like developers have carte blanche to develop anywhere and everywhere.”

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said that no application had yet been received, but if one was submitted, it will be subject to relevant local and national planning policies”.