POTENTIAL for more than 500 additional homes to be built in Thornbury was highlighted at a public consultation.

Visitors viewed the council's initial plans at the Armstrong Hall, in Thornbury on Friday.

Many of those who attended were able to voice their opposition to the initial proposals with planning and transport officers from South Gloucestershire Council.

The process aimed to get public input to help set the priorities for the plans to build more homes - 350 at Cleve Park, South of the existing Morton Way development for 300 houses, and their plans for another 100-180 houses North of this at the West of Gloucester Road off Butt Lane.

Planning permission has already been made for 125 homes on Post Farm off Butt Lane next to the existing Park Farm development for 500 homes.

The Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) is part of a wider plan for growth in the region set out by the South Gloucestershire Council and other West of England councils – North Somerset, Bristol City, and Bath and North East Somerset.

They plan to build up to 105,000 new homes across this region by 2036. Around 66,000 new homes have already been planned for by the councils in response to what they regard as an acute need to deliver new homes over the next 20 years.

Plans for more homes to be provided in Thornbury failed to receive support from those in attendance who feel that the area does not have the infrastructure to sustain further development A Thornbury resident, Andy Pearson, said: “It’s a lovely town but it is being spoiled. The additional properties will add to the already deeply challenged infrastructure.”

The 67-year-old explained that the surrounding roads, including the A38, become congested.

The council’s plans identify some of the constraints on the development’s potential include this concern: “Transportation in Thornbury is primarily by car south along the A38 to J14 of the M5.”

Mr Pearson added: “There is little public transport available, and a growing car ownership. There aren’t job opportunities in Thornbury, with only a few shops and empty employment offices, forcing people to commute for work.”

He worries that the additional housing spilling out into the surrounding fields of Thornbury will cause flooding. As a keen walker around areas like Morton Way, he has noticed that in heavy rain the area already “swims in water in the lower lying land”.

This is a problem the council have identified noting that there is: “Flood risk along river corridors and potential knock on impacts downstream at Oldbury.”

A retired farmer who has lived in Upper Morton for seven years, who didn’t wish to be named said: “I’m worried it will devalue our property – its best selling point is the surrounding countryside. When this is turned into a building site this will have a negative impact on the houses outlook.”

Another resident who does not wish to be named said: “High houses on the edge of the countryside is not exactly aesthetically pleasing.”

She explains that she understands the need to build extra houses but questions whether they will be affordable.

The Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Developments (TRAPP’D) action group were at the consultation to campaign against the proposals. Member Keith Wooson said: “We have dozens of signatures, people are utterly cheesed off.

“There is no transport plan in place – you don’t build a wall without the foundations.”

Another committee member David Dawkins, 58, from Thornbury said: “Our message is not against housing, we appreciate the need for it. However, it must be properly planned, with improvements made to overcrowded roads, health services and schools.”

Another resident who wished not to be named signed their petition but stated: “The council will do what they want we don’t have a say really.”

In the JSP’s draft, provision has also been made for Coalpit Heath to take on 1,500 additional houses, and 2,200 houses have been designated for Buckover, and 1,000 have been identified in Charfield.

A council spokesman said: “We want to make sure that as a region we have the homes, employment opportunities and the transport network to allow our growing population to get the best from living here.”

He said that feedback would be taken on board as part of this stage of the consultation process.

More information and the chance opportunity to complete a consultation response online are available at jointplanningwofe.org.uk.