OPPOSITION has been growing to plans to build up to 105 new homes next to Manor Road Community Woodland in Keynsham.
Taylor Wimpey wants to develop land to the south of its previously approved scheme for 70 homes off Minsmere Road. It has submitted an outline planning application to Bath & North East Somerset Council for the site on the eastern edge of town.
The scheme would include 45% “affordable” housing, public open space, habitat creation, drainage infrastructure, and links for pedestrians and cyclists. It would be served by new vehicular access from Manor Road.
The developer says the site is grey belt, a term used to describe lower-quality land within the protected green belt deemed suitable for housing development.
The site appears in B&NES Council’s draft Local Plan as a potential area for new homes.
Taylor Wimpey said: “The proposal will make an early and meaningful contribution towards addressing the council’s identified housing land supply shortfall.”
It argues that development would be contained and not reduce separation between Keynsham and Saltford.
Keynsham Town Council has objected to the plan. Its concerns include historic drainage problems and highways safety, stating: “This is a single-track lane without footpaths used by many pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.”
It is also concerned at the prospect of losing habitat vital to abundant wildlife.
“The site will be abutted on three sides by Manor Road Community Woodland which gives rise to concerns for the impact on historic nature corridors and in the impact of the fauna.”
The town council added: “Public transport is extremely poor in this locality.”
Councillor Andy Wait (Lib Dem), who represents Keynsham East on B&NES Council, has asked for the application to be called in for determination by the planning committee. He argues that the plans would result in over-development, resulting in even more traffic on residential roads, and described the proposed access as “bizarre and dangerous”.
Cllr Wait added: “The strongest objection of all is the existence of a rich natural diversity of wildlife in that field.”
He said a study of the land as part of the Keynsham Town Council Nature Action Plan had identified that a vast number of animals used the field – badgers, bats, rabbits, foxes and deer – as well as 37 species of birds that included two buzzards.
“This delicate habitat will be destroyed and never replaced if this development is agreed,” he said.
Cllr Alan Hale (Independent, Keynsham South) also objected, saying: “This development is as far from a main road as it could probably be, and as such, many unsuitable roads will be blighted by the passage of HGVs for a considerable time.”
He added: “The Manor Road playing field is a recreational area much used by families and children who currently only have to consider a normal weight of traffic rather than a succession of HGVs back and forth. There is a road safety hazard in this.”
Cllr Hale said that, at the point of the proposed development, is a “narrow country lane” used as a route to and from school.
“This additional demand for road space will become a road safety hazard because there is frequently pedestrian traffic and pedal cycles as part of the school commute.”
Cllr Duncan Hounsell (Lib Dem, Saltford) argued that the site should not be designated as grey belt.
He said: “This land does contribute strongly to checking the unrestricted sprawl of a large built-up area. It does prevent neighbouring “towns” from merging into one another viz Keynsham and Saltford.”
The proposal had attracted more than 160 objections by the time the deadline for comments passed on May 8.
One objector said: “The area is full of wildlife and should be protected for future generations. The lanes are used by joggers, cyclists, horse riders, children and families enjoying the access into a small piece of countryside within a very built-up area. The lanes are already used as rat runs and are not suitable for heavy or increased traffic.”
There was one comment in support, from someone who said: “As a born resident of Keynsham on Homesearch facing long waits, with several hundred others also waiting, then I will always support any development offering social/affordable rents.”
