"Harmful" plans for 32 homes in Thornbury rejected

Newland Homes wanted permission from South Gloucestershire Council to transform land at Post Farm in the hamlet of Lower Morton into a number of bungalows and houses. 

The site which is currently being used for cattle grazing is located along Morton Street near the Morton Meadows and Pippen Drive developments off Butt Lane.

According to the application, all of the homes would have been net zero and 11 would be affordable. 

Plans also included creating a play and an open space area with an orchard.

However, the proposals sparked fierce opposition, with more than 38 rejection letters submitted by residents against the plans.

Thornbury Town Council also objected, citing the town's lack of facilities, such as a lack of school, doctor, and dentist places, as well as road and sewage pressure.

A previous application for 39 homes on the same site for a different developer, Linden Homes, was refused by SGC in July 2019.

A site plan showing the refused Post Farm development (Image: Newland Homes)

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development said in an objection statement the town was "becoming a satellite dormitory town". 

They said: "Residents in Thornbury have learned the hard way that landowners and developers will never take 'no' for an answer.

"The town is facing an almost 50 per cent increase in the number of dwellings since the 2011 census, without any commensurate upgrade in services, and that in round numbers. 

"We started in 2014 with 1,000 houses waiting to be built, followed by 9 years of building, with 1,300 houses having been completed, and yet today we still have another 1,000 to go. 

"Thornbury is in desperate need of an extended break from new greenfield development."

They added: "This development is fundamentally car-based, just like the other new developments on the outskirts of the town.

"Thornbury is becoming a satellite dormitory town for Bristol, and new development in Thornbury equates to increased commuter traffic."

The application was officially refused on January 25. 

In a refusal statement, SGC stated the development would have an "adverse impact" on the hamlet of Lower Morton and would be "harmful" to its existing character and identity

The council also says the proposal would lead to the loss of agricultural land and fails to provide adequate provision for infrastructure.

It also said that the application failed to provide access to the site without removing a portion of public open space in a neighbouring development, which violates a S106 agreement.

A spokesperson from Newland Homes previously told the Gazette they wanted to create a "development which Thornbury can be proud of". 

They added: "Our application is for fewer properties, more open space, increased ecological enhancements and the creation of innovative, zero carbon homes."  

You can view the application quoting P23/02091/O or see here - tinyurl.com/446mkray