A DEVELOPER planning to build up to 150 homes in Mangotsfield has updated its plans, giving more details of how homes will look.
Taylor Wimpey says it has increased the proportion of affordable housing – for social rent or shared ownership – and improved walking and cycle links to the site at Cossham Street.
But the updated plans still contain only one access road, with the housebuilder insisting this is “sufficient for the number of homes proposed”.
Taylor Wimpey owns the field where it wants to build the homes, between Cossham Street and Rodway Hill Road, next to Mangotsfield United FC, Cleve Rugby Club and Mangotsfield School.
It is currently designated as Green Belt land but has been re-classified for housing in South Gloucestershire Council’s draft Local Plan, which has now been submitted to the government for examination.
The developer says it has updated its planning application “in response to feedback from residents and community groups”.
It now contains more details on the site’s layout, and the scale and appearance of homes and streets.
Taylor Wimpey says the “key updates” include an increase in the proportion of affordable housing from 35% to 40%, which would represent a rise from 52 to 60 homes out of the 150 planned.
It has also introduced more variety in the character of proposed buildings, designed streets for low-speed traffic and improved walking and cycling links.
The developer says it has included “green corridors” and homes facing onto public spaces to create what it calls a “walkable, attractive environment”, with open spaces, play areas, and sustainable drainage basins.
Taylor Wimpey says the development represents a £20 million investment, creating 97 full-time construction jobs, 110 supply chain jobs and more than £300,000 per year in Council Tax revenue.
Strategic projects director Chris Dolling said: “Working closely with the Mangotsfield community ensures our proposals meet local needs and reflect the village’s character.
“That is why we have increased the affordable housing on-site, provided more variety in building character across the site, strengthened walking and cycling connections, and added new green spaces.
“Providing further details on our proposals is a proactive approach to bringing forward high-quality, sustainable homes in anticipation of the Local Plan’s adoption, which will enable investment in Mangotsfield’s community to come forward sooner.”
Objections to the plans have ranged from loss of green space to parking issues and the strain of new homes on local services – but the main concern has been over the single road access to the site, from Cossham Street, which has been described as “inadequate” by Emersons Green Town Council and a “bad joke” by one resident.
Many called for a second exit onto Rodway Hill Road.
Asked by the Voice why the updated plan still contains only one vehicle access point, a spokesperson said: “Since the consultation and the submission of our outline application in 2024, we have carried out further testing to confirm whether a single access from Cossham Street is safe and suitable.
“This included a Road Safety Audit, which the council requested and has now been submitted to them.
“The audit concluded that one access point is sufficient for the number of homes proposed.
“South Gloucestershire Council will assess these findings before making any decision on the application.”
Taylor Wimpey says the updated plan “positions the development” for a decision from the council once its Local Plan has been adopted, which is anticipated to happen late next year if the plan is approved by the government following an examination.
Asked by the Voice if this meant the developer does not want the scheme to be considered before the new Local Plan is in place, a spokesperson said the company would “follow whatever approach the Council prefers”, raising the prospect that it could be considered earlier “if the Council feels that the site’s proposed allocation already carries enough weight”.
There have been ten new objections since the plans were updated, including from neighbouring Cleve Rugby Club.
The application can be viewed on the council’s planning website by searching for reference P24/02685/O.