THE DEMOLITION of Yate Magistrates Court has started, but residents are still left unsure as to the plans for the site.

Homes England, the governments housing delivery agency, plans to demolish the site were announced in February before being changed the following month.

Residents of Stanshawes Crescent, the neighbouring road expressed their concerns at the proposals, but are now left confused over what will be happening with the site.

The court on Kennedy Way was among 86 courts to close across the country in 2016, as part of government plans to reform the justice system, and it has remained empty ever since.

Original plans, which have since been changed following opposition saw parking spaces that would need to be accessed directly from Stanshawes Crescent rather than Kennedy Way.

Those were changed after consultations with residents of the area, with new plans looking to build 45 houses on the site.

Concerns are still being raised regarding the amount of parking spaces being provided, only 69.

Yate Town Councillor John Gawn, and resident of Stanshawes Crescent admitted that homeowners in the area are still concerned at the plans for the old court.

"There is a bit of confusion over the plans," he said.

"Why are there 6 paths that go on to Stanshawes Crescent? It is a road, away from Yate, into nowhere.

"Residents in the area are concerned about it, because we know that the plan is that people will park in the road.

"It is already chaos down the road with parking, it is going to get even worse.

"From looking at the plans I believe it is over development of a small area.

"We just want them to come and talk to us, listen to our concerns. We have had no issues with the builders so far, they have been doing everything correctly.

"We don't want to stop the development, but we want to come to an agreement that makes all parties happy."

A Homes England spokesperson said: “Following consultation with residents and discussions with planning officers, we have amended the outline planning application to include 45 homes (8 houses and 37 flats). Residents have also been formally consulted by South Gloucestershire Council on the revised proposals, which include 69 parking spaces accessed from Kennedy Way.

“A decision on the application for outline planning permission is due to be made by South Gloucestershire Council on 20th September.”