Bristol Live readers have been discussing the final blueprint detailing the construction of 22,500 new homes and the creation of thousands of jobs in South Gloucestershire over the next 15 years. The Local Plan outlines housing development plans from 2026 to 2041, including significant portions of the greenbelt near Bristol, with seven villages set to lose their protected status to allow for development.
The plan includes large expansions of some villages and the establishment of new communities. It identifies sufficient land for the development of wind and solar energy to make South Gloucestershire carbon neutral and also provides a variety of homes for older people along with sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.
The plan further states that greenfield sites will be needed to deliver 9,500 homes, including greenbelt around the Bristol North and East Fringes and some rural villages, to ensure people can stay in their communities to support net zero goals. The plan sets a target of 6,686 affordable homes – 446 per year – with developers required to provide 40 per cent affordable housing in greenfield areas and 30 per cent on brownfield sites.
Grockel1 asks: “With more minimum wage jobs being planned then who can afford them? And they say no major infrastructure improvements needed in the plan! There is going to be more gridlock around Bradley Stoke, Aztec West and Cribbs Causeway with the increase in population.”
Terryst agrees: “Forget building these homes, get the bridge, on the Badminton Road, over the M4, sorted out first. It’s been shut for over 3 years now. The other thing that needs to be sorted is public transport, in & around the area. Bring back the buses that passengers used to be able to catch between Eastville & Yate, via Fishponds.”
DoesntBodeWell wonders: “And what about schools, churches, surgeries, and dentists? Will this magical plan create the infrastructure that caters to the new community?”
CharlesBridge states: “Who will build them? I mean the actual hands? Who will buy them? In a collapsing zero-growth economy mired in debt, who will provide finance to an economically distressed biomass of people? It will not be people buying them, it will be BlackRock, Blackstone and the big rental players. The little people will just rent hutches.”
Abacass thinks: “This is long term madness. Our greenbelt diminished while we are the most wildlife depleted European Country.”
Chris Mundy agrees: ”Forcing councils to build on green belt land, the way it’s going there will be very little countryside for future generations to enjoy.”
Ryan Hole points out: “People complain if they don’t build housing, moan if they do, moan if the buildings are too tall, moan if it takes over the countryside. It seems everyone agrees that we need more housing, but it shouldn’t be next to them. What a coincidence.”
How do you feel about the new homes? Are they much needed or ruining greenbelt land? Have your say in our comments section.