PLANS for 250 homes in Charfield have been approved, despite objections from 230 residents.
South Gloucestershire councillors voted by 5-3 to grant permission for the new housing estate, called Charfield Meadows, north of Wotton Road.
It is on one of two major sites earmarked for development in the village in the final draft version of the district’s 15-year Local Plan, which is currently out for public consultation and at least a year away from becoming official policy.
Objections to the application were also submitted by four town and parish councils, the crime prevention officer, Active Travel England, and the council’s own economic development team, because the initial proposals had been changed to remove any employment provision.
‘Disaster’
John Acton, a resident and retired planning inspector, told the strategic sites delivery committee that many locals would be “aghast” that the plans included more traffic calming measures in the village.
He said the planning officer’s report highlighted these as a benefit of the development.
But Mr Acton said: “This is unrealistic. It would be a disaster.
“It should weigh heavily against the application, not in favour.
“This is an old, speculative application dating back to 2019.”
He said the Charfield Neighbourhood Plan, adopted by the council in 2021, did not envisage major development.
Charfield Parish Council’s objections to the application by Bloor Homes included a lack of infrastructure to support hundreds of new residents, including the over-subscribed local primary school, lack of GP surgery places and poor bus links.
‘Unfair’ to sell family homes without school places
Ward councillor John O’Neill (Lib Dem, Charfield) told the meeting on March 6: “In its current form, this is not place-making or plan-making – it is still premature.
“It is unfair to sell homes for families when there are insufficient places at primary schools.
“This would just overwhelm everything.
“I would expect you to impose a planning condition that no homes are occupied until there are additional places at Charfield Primary School.”
His comments were echoed by several members of the committee.
But a council officer said a scheduled an expansion of the school was due to be open by 2029, with a reception class possibly being ready by 2028.
The officer said: “There will be only a few houses there by 2027.
“Charfield School is full, absolutely, but it’s full at the moment with people coming from as far as 2.6 miles away because the birth rate was so low [in Charfield].
“Whereas there was a year five years ago when we couldn’t accommodate all the pupils in the village, currently we can.
“So I’m comfortable that from 2029 there will be sufficient places for the residents of Charfield and the new developments coming through.”
‘Unrestricted views’ into private garden
Resident Mark Wilson, who lives next to a proposed walking and cycling route that forms part of the scheme, said: “I strongly object to this application due to its serious impact on my privacy, security and residential amenity.
He said the active travel route would give “unrestricted views into my private rear garden and home”.
Planning officer Charmian Eyre-Walker said the hedgerow behind Mr Wilson’s home would be retained so his privacy would be protected.
Bloor Homes South West senior planning manager Jonathan Dodd said the company would invest £9.4 million in local infrastructure, including £1.6m towards expanding Charfield Primary School, along with road upgrades, sustainable transport, community spaces, and more than £500,000 for the parish council to spend on its priorities.
He said 35% of the homes would be classed as affordable.
Mr Dodd said: “This is an important moment for Charfield – to secure sustainable growth, deliver vital infrastructure, and strengthen the community.
“We are not just building houses – we are investing in the future of Charfield in a way that matches the community’s needs.
“Charfield is a thriving village, and we are committed to delivering a development that not only provides high-quality homes but also enhances local services, infrastructure, and green spaces.”
The developers will also contribute towards improvements to the Falfield junction of the M5 and public transport improvements, including money towards reopening Charfield Station in 2027.
The plans were backed by active travel charity Sustrans because of the inclusion of the ‘Greenway’ cycle and walking route.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Picture: Image from developer Bloor Homes of the Greenway cycle route at Charfield Meadows.