Details of the places where new housing developments could be built across South Gloucestershire are set out in detail in the council’s Local Plan.
The plan includes proposals to allow a major development on the former Shortwood Lodge Golf Club, 2,000-plus homes next to the M4 north of Lyde Green,and 65 homes on part of the Hayfields base of Cleve RFC and 150 homes on land next door owned by Taylor Wimpey.
The final draft of the plan has also seen some sites taken out, including the former Bristol Uniforms factory in Staple Hill, Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm and the Downend Clinic.
Shortwood
THREE sites near Shortwood are proposed to form part of what has been named the Carsons Green and Rockhouse Farm New Neighbourhoods.
East of the A4174 opposite Mangotsfield and Siston Hill, 1,600 homes are proposed for land including the former Shortwood Lodge Golf Club, which closed in 2019, stretching to the southern edge of Shortwood.
A further 330 homes would be built north of Shortwood, at Rockhouse Farm.
The council says 30% of homes would be classed as affordable, for social rent or non-market ownership schemes, and there would be an employment zone, hotel, convenience store, GP surgery, nursery, affordable workspaces, a primary school, community centre and play area.
Around 660 of the homes would be built after the end of the Local Plan period in 2041.
Mangotsfield
DEVELOPER Taylor Wimpey submitted plans last year to build 150 new homes on a field it owns between Cossham Street and Rodway Hill Road, next to Mangotsfield United FC, Cleve Rugby Club and Mangotsfield School.
The site, currently Green Belt, appears in the Local Plan as a potential site for 150 homes. Taylor Wimpey has asked for permission to develop it before the new plan is adopted.
Part of Cleve Rugby Club’s Hayfields ground, which stands next to the Taylor Wimpey field, has now been put forward by the club as a potential site for 65 homes.
Cleve RFC Chairman Simon Wilstead says that like many community-based sports clubs, Cleve faces “financial challenges” from reduced participation post-Covid and huge cost increases.
He said: “We have submitted a proposal to the South Gloucestershire Council local plan as a first step in looking at how we can sustain the long-term future of the rugby club for generations to come.
“Our ambition is to stay at The Hayfields in the heart of the community, by looking to downsize non playing field areas of our existing footprint.
“In doing so we would be looking to redesign and build a new environmentally-friendly clubhouse and facilities, including parking on our current site.
“We would also like to modernise sports playing facilities for the benefit of members and the wider community.
“I would emphasise this is a first step in the process to evaluate options, and we will be working closely with the RFU and Sport England on what options may be suitable in the future.”
A further 72 homes have been proposed on two other sites off Pomphrey Hill – seven on a small field between the rugby club and the pavilion car park, and a further 65 on a field next to the ring road.
North Lyde Ecotech Village
ABOUT 2,050 homes and 18 hectares of employment land, extending the Bristol & Bath Science Park, have been proposed north of Lyde Green.
The area to be developed is bounded by the M4, Westerleigh Road and the railway line serving the Westerleigh fuel depot.
Around 1,350 homes would be built before 2041 and 700 afterwards.
The development would include shops and cafes, a community centre, nursery, primary school, library, GP surgery and a central play park.
Staple Hill
THE former Bristol Uniforms factory in Wathen Street, Staple Hill has been removed from the final draft of the Local Plan.
Developer Woodstock Homes announced plans to build 66 one and two-bedroom flats in three and four-storey blocks on the site behind Fountain Square in 2023, a few months after the safety clothing company moved out after more than 120 years.
The plans are still awaiting a decision by the council’s planning department, but the site has been removed from the plan, with the council saying it will “remain as safeguarded employment land”.
Speaking on behalf of Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward councillors, Ian Boulton, who is also the council’s co-leader, said the factory site was “employment land which provides essential jobs to support our local economy”.
Woodstock Homes said: “We firmly believe that our plans to redevelop the site will deliver significant benefits for the local area, including the delivery of much-needed new homes on a brownfield site in a highly sustainable location, as well as representing a significant investment in this part of Staple Hill. We are keen to continue working positively with the council over the coming weeks as we move towards the determination of our application.”
Elsewhere in Staple Hill, the building occupied by Snap Fitness in Broad Street has been suggested as a site for 14 homes.
Other changes
EARLIER drafts of the Local Plan included proposals to build ten homes on the site of the Downend Clinic, opposite the library in Buckingham Gardens.
These have now been removed from the plan, with the council saying it no longer has an “active site promoter or willing landowner”.
Another site removed from the new draft is Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm, in Old Gloucester Road.
The council cites “constraints including air quality and impacts on the local transport network” as the reason for removing the site.
The final draft of the Local Plan is due to open for public comments on February 28.
Full details will be found on the plan website, sgcouncilplan.commonplace.is
Anyone who is not online can call 01454 868009 for help.