DEVELOPERS have been granted permission to build hundreds of homes in a rapidly expanding village, despite more than 400 objections.
A total of 525 homes, a neighbourhood centre, football pitches and allotments will be built in Charfield, even though concerns have been raised over a lack of public services.
The new housing estate will be called Pennymeads, and will be built on farmland south of the village.
The plans were approved by councillors on South Gloucestershire Council’s strategic sites delivery committee at the end of June, with six votes in favour and three against.
Charlotte Robinson, representing the applicants CEG, said: “This application brings forward a site which has been identified by the council to be suitable, appropriate and deliverable for residential development.
“The proposal would deliver new homes, including 35% affordable, housing suitable for older people, and 5% plots for self and custom build.
“There would be an opportunity for small businesses to be established or grow at the local centre. “Extensive green infrastructure is proposed, including three football pitches and changing rooms. Other types of open space will be provided, such as walking routes, children’s play areas and allotments.”
Developers would put forward £2.3 million to help reopen Charfield railway station, improve bus services and establish a “greenway” between Charfield and Wotton-under-Edge.
The 402 residents who objected raised concerns including traffic problems, lack of facilities for young people, air and noise pollution, unreliable bus services, the oversubscribed primary school, destruction of the countryside and wildlife habitats, flooding, and claims the proposals would effectively turn Charfield into a town.
Three parish councils objected, saying the development was unsustainable, there was a lack of local employment, and local services were already under strain.
Charfield ward Liberal Democrat councillor John O’Neil said: “There have been many objections – some of these are justified and a lot of them are because of the level of development we’ve had in Charfield.
“It’s quite a distressing thing. We’ve had three [major developments] in the last seven or eight years, and they all come onto the Wotton Road.”
While Charfield is close to the Gloucestershire town of Wotton-under-Edge, councillors and local residents believe the village needs its own services upgraded too.
Councillor Liz Brennan (Con, Frenchay & Downend) said: “If it was me living in Charfield, and I was getting all these houses, and they’ve already seen so many new houses, I would want out of this so much more.
“I would want a bigger shop, a guarantee that my children could go to school there, buses, and just so much more. We’re offering them the bare minimum.”
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service