TWO PROPOSED housing developments in Almondsbury have had their applications rejected this morning.

The sites, both situated between Oaklands Drive and the M5 motorway junction, contain a proposed 44 homes between them, with a mix of three-to-four bedroom houses, self-build plots and starter homes.

The decisions, which were made separately by South Gloucestershire Council’s development control (west) committee, came after councillors heard recommendations from planning officers to reject the plans.

The first development, which aimed to build 16 three-to-four bedroom houses on the site of the former Almondsbury Squash Club and Stables, was deemed unfit for permission based on nine separate reasons.

Among them, councillors heard that the application was situated on the green belt, and that the design and layout of the development being considered “poor” and “one which fails to reflect or enhance the local character and distinctiveness of the site.”

Criticism was also made of the proposals not offering the required number of affordable houses and a lack of a public open space contribution, both of which are requirements for developments of a certain size.

Speaking in support of both proposals, the developer’s agent Kit Stokes argued that the first application was “not contentious” and that there was need for the site due to the council’s lack of a five-year-land supply.

He added that a number of alterations had been made following public consultation, including reducing the number of residences from 22 to 16, increasing car parking and looking into affordable housing.

One of the council officers made the point that the lack of a five-year-land supply “does not warrant a poorly designed proposal”, with Cllr Dave Hockey adding that he felt the reasons officers had put forward were sound, proposing to accept the recommendation.

The second development, which would be adjacent to the A38, lying between Oaklands Drive and the motorway, would offer 20 custom-build plots and eight starter homes, but was again rejected as it was based too close to the greenbelt and a lack of a public open space contribution.

Speculating that this could be the only green space of its kind keeping the barrier between Bristol and the approach to Thornbury, Cllr Eve Orpen said she felt “it would be a shame to see this site overdeveloped.”

Cllr Hockey added that while he would love to support the project for the sake of affordable homes, the green belt must be protected.

Further criticism of the site suggested that potential disruption from the nearby motorway and the floodlights in the nearby Oaklands Park Stadium football ground had been overlooked.

Despite the decision to refuse permission being accepted, Cllr Ken Dando said: “I wish we could have done more to support the scheme,” adding that it would have been good to defer it, while alterations to fix the issues were made.