Stoke Gifford: Fear over greenbelt homes plan

Fears have been raised by residents over plans to earmark greenbelt flood plain for 3,500 homes.

A blueprint for housing and business growth is being formulated by South Gloucestershire Council which includes developing land at Stoke Gifford.

But a campaign group has claimed there has been no consultation over the plans and they want to see proof of the level need for so many new homes.

Hambrook Lane Action Group has set up a public meeting to discuss the plans.

'Heavy rains'

Dr Nicola Hembry, from the action group said: "It is a flood plain and in the supplementary planning document they make a comment about the Hambrook corridor saying that it is dry for long periods but during the recent heavy rains the flooding was dreadful."

The group has also highlighted other places in South Gloucestershire where new homes are either being built or are being earmarked.

These include about 2,500 homes at Charlton Hayes and up to 2,500 new homes at Filton Airfield.

If the plans do go ahead, the group has said it will remove the last remaining greenbelt land separating the village from the motorway.

A spokesman for the council has said: "The council has provided a wide range of opportunities for local people to learn about and comment on the proposals for the new neighbourhood east of Harry Stoke and associated infrastructure.

"These consultation opportunities were publicised in a variety of ways and the proposals were also discussed during the public examination of the core strategy, which was held last summer."

The council is holding another hearing for people to give their feedback on the core strategy.

The hearing will be held at 10:00 GMT on 7 March at the Kingswood Civic Centre but written representations must be received by 8 February.

The action group meeting is planned for 14:00 GMT Little Stoke Community Hall.