LAST WEEK the firm behind the proposed 150-home development on the northern edge of Thornbury held a public consultation with local residents.

Linden Homes hope to build the new homes on land at Post Farm which is outside of Thornbury’s development boundary, on the northern side of Butts Lane.

If permission was granted for the Post Farm development it would become the latest new development on the edge of Thornbury with planning permission having been given for a 500-home development at Park Farm as well as the 300-home development which is under construction at Morton Way.

This latest plan has drawn considerable criticism from members of the public who say that Thornbury does not need any more housing developments.

Christine Harris, who lives in Howard Road in Thornbury, said: “We simply don’t have the facilities to take any more homes in Thornbury the doctor’s surgery is especially struggling.

“We calculate that these new developments will bring about 2,500 extra people to Thornbury – something we don’t have the infrastructure to cope with.

“Perhaps the councils should have thought more of encouraging tourism to Thornbury instead of building more houses.”

Lawrence Oliver lives at Four Winds which backs on to the proposed Post Farm development – he said that the development would not be good for the town.

“It feels like the only thing the council (South Gloucestershire) are interested in is filling their quota. I cannot believe that all these developers are getting permission to build so many houses.

“These developers like to pretend that they’re doing what’s best for the community but the only thing they’re interested in is money.

“They say that they’ve given information to all local residents but I live right on the site and we’ve had absolutely nothing come through the door – except from a leaflet from local councillors.”

However, a spokesman for Linden Homes said that the development would be good for the wider community.

“We have produced what is a deliverable five year plan for the development.

“As with the developers of the other two, nearby, developments we would make contributions to the local community on a pro-rata basis.

“We will also be discussing the plans with local councillors so we do what’s right for people in Thornbury and so that we meet the need of South Gloucestershire Council.

“Going with the guidelines that we will be adhering to, 35 per cent of the houses we build will be set aside and offered as affordable housing.”