A HOUSE builder’s plans for nine new homes on Yate land previously earmarked for a community venue has been slammed by town councillors.

Last week the Gazette reported how existing residents of Taylor Wimpey’s three-year-old development Elswick Park, on the former Sea Stores site on Kennedy Way, were furious that the only piece of green land the estate’s many children have to play on is likely to become home to a new cul-de-sac of executive three, four and five-bedroom houses.

They claimed the developer, which first said the plot would not be used for houses before claiming Elswick Park would have been unviable if it was forced to pay previously agreed contributions for the venue, had misled them when selling properties from plan in 2011.

Now, Yate Town Council has said the tiny strip of land which will be left after the nine-home development and is being offered to the authority for a nominal £1 fee, would be ‘a liability not an asset’.

Cllr Chris Willmore said: “This is a complete change from the original plan for a community arts venue.

"They want to give us this tiny piece of land instead of giving us any money, they must think we were born yesterday.

“The land they are offering is not big enough for a parish hall let alone a new community hall.

“It will be a liability.”

Taylor Wimpey, which was accused of holding South Gloucestershire Council to ransom when it said it could not afford the highest energy efficiency rating of sustainable homes for the 228 houses within Elswick Park, has applied for outline planning permission for a community venue on the site, along with the new homes, with vehicular access running through the cul-de-sac and eight parking spaces.

Cllr Tony Davis said: “They are trying it on big time. They are trying every trick in the book and have a beautiful little ruse going for nine houses because once a development reaches 10 houses they have to supply social housing.”

Cllr Sue Walker said: “Parking in Elswick Park is already horrendous. Emergency vehicles are having trouble getting through there.

“I suggest some gorilla gardening or mini allotments on that land.”

The council raised some concerns that if it refused the offer of the land it would be left derelict and become an eyesore.

“Over the years I have seen many sites like this become derelict,” said Cllr Martin Monk. “Are we going to take it and better it or are we going to make it derelict?”

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said providing land for community use was never a requirement of planning permission and the firm had paid more than £150,000 for a community building in the town.

He added: “This significant financial contribution and the gifting of the land have the potential to deliver the extra community facilities Yate Town Council are seeking on this site.”