Column by Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall

I am grateful to everyone who has signed my petition against a developer’s proposal to build 725 new houses on the land to the immediate east of St. John’s Way in Chipping Sodbury, increasing the number of homes in the town by 35% in one application.

Referred to as the “Kings Park Garden Neighbourhood”, the proposal would double the number of houses currently along St Johns Way.

These plans are completely inappropriate, and I am calling on South Gloucestershire Council to reject them in full.

Chipping Sodbury does not have the right level of infrastructure to support a development of this size. Pressure would be increased on local schools and health services and on our local roads, which already experience a high volume of traffic. This would result in increased congestion, present serious questions regarding road safety and impact pollution levels.

The development is at risk of being detrimental and costly to the local ecosystem, particularly when considering the impact on natural habitats for wildlife and the infringement of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which surrounds the proposed site.

The application has not fully considered the full environmental consequences for the area, or the potential safety and insurance consequences of the impact of the River Frome. There are particular concerns about the development being situated in close proximity to the Frome River, specifically regarding land North of the proposed site. This is situated in a Flood Zone 3, which means there is a possibility of flooding.

A 35% increase in the number of houses in Chipping Sodbury is inappropriate and unsustainable, and our town does not have the infrastructure to support such a large expansion. I will be working with local councillors, our Mayor James Ball and local residents to fight these proposals every step of the way.

I shall be taking this petition directly to South Gloucestershire Council, and calling on them to reject any proposals to develop on this site. It’s not too late to add your name to the petition on my website: lukehall.org.uk/form/no-to-35-expansion-of-chipping-s.

As ever, if you would like to share our thoughts on this development, or to join our campaign, then please do not hesitate to contact me at luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk.