Neighbours object to new homes in village near Bristol which could ‘amplify parking issues’

Neighbours are objecting to plans to build new homes in a village near Bristol as they say these will “amplify parking issues”. Despite a dire shortage of housing in South Gloucestershire, local residents urged councillors to refuse planning permission, due to a proliferation of parked cars.

South Gloucestershire Council has granted planning permission to Brushwood Homes Ltd for five new four-bedroom houses in Frampton Cotterell, on the corner of Ryecroft Road and Rockside Gardens. Two existing bungalows on the site will be demolished.

Three houses will front onto Rockside Gardens and two onto Ryecroft Road. A total of 15 parking spaces are included, although five of these are inside garages. Councillors on the development management committee voted to approve planning permission on December 19.

However several local residents are objecting to the plans. Reasons included the added number of cars which could be parked on the roads, as well as fears over an increased risk of accidents. Construction vehicles could also disrupt locals while the new homes are being built.

How the homes on Ryecroft Road would be laid out
(Image: WH Architects)

Craig Hennessey, a neighbour, said: “The insufficient parking provided by the development will amplify the parking issues which are already experienced by local residents. The addition of two extra driveways on a hill, so close to the blind corner of Rockside Gardens, will make the area more hazardous.

“Parked vehicles on the hill do cause traffic to deviate onto the wrong side of the road. Vehicles entering Rockside frequently have to reverse back onto Ryecroft to avoid oncoming traffic. Emergency vehicles, delivery vehicles and recycling contractors have already been obstructed in accessing Rockside, due to existing parking problems.”

Another problem is the potential to block daylight into adjacent houses, and Mr Hennessey threatened legal action if the new homes are built. But the loss of daylight was disputed by the developers.

John Rooney, a planning consultant, said: “While I can sympathise with the loss of view, the planning system doesn’t allow for protection of views. Development will usually result in the loss of someone’s view.”

He added that no traffic accidents had been recorded at the junction for 24 years, which had “adequate visibility”. South Gloucestershire is also under extra pressure from the new Labour government to build thousands of new homes, and building within existing towns and villages means fewer homes have to be built in protected Green Belt areas of the countryside.

Labour Councillor John Bradbury said: “We need the housing. Having owned a bungalow previously, bungalows often have very large gardens, and I suspect the land could be better used.”

Image Credits and Reference: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/neighbours-object-new-homes-village-9825304

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