DEVELOPERS of a proposed 3,000-home garden village near Thornbury have welcomed public interest from recent planning consultations but say they will continue to press ahead with plans.

The controversial Buckover Garden Village, which would straddle the A38 between Thornbury and Falfield, has faced strong opposition from the nearby community, with Thornbury already facing around 1,500 new homes over the next few years.

An estimated five-year period has been outlined by the village’s planners, with the development expected to take up to a further 10 years to complete.

There has however been a great deal of support from local government, with the village having been outlined for an allocation of 2,200 homes in the latest draft of the West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP).

The JSP, which outlines the region’s housing targets and development schemes until 2036, is currently under public consultation, with the window to submit comments closing on Monday, December 19.

Buckover was a major topic of discussion in a recent series of drop-in JSP exhibitions held across South Gloucestershire, with events held in both Thornbury and Falfied giving residents a chance to put their views forward.

Robert Moreton from the Tortworth Estate, said: “The work we are currently undertaking has been really beneficial in setting principles and I want to thank people for taking the time to talk with us.

“What we have learned already will help as we hold consultation events next year when we can ask the wider public, from a much more informed standpoint, about what they think.

“In addition, we have been able to explain a bit more about what guides my family as custodians of the estate into the future.

Rob Garnham of Mediation in Planning Ltd said, "We are still at an early stage of engagement but the principles that we have picked up from local people already has been a great help in understanding their concerns.

“When we have explained that our over-riding mantra is to "compliment not compete" with existing communities and facilities, our engagement has been much more constructive."

The development faced a setback last month at a public meeting where Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall announced that the proposed garden village would receive no support from central government.

Meanwhile, the action group Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development (TRAPP’D) have called for an overwhelming public response to say “no” to the planned expansion in the JSP.

A spokesman for the group said: “If the Town wants to send a message to the planners that this isn’t the future that we want to see, then we need an overwhelming response from all residents.

“We need to do more than just grumble about the fact that new housing growth is out of control in Thornbury – people need to act now and to send in their responses.”

For more information on the JSP, or to comment on the consultation, visit www.jointplanningwofe.org.uk