The Bradley Stoke Journal

South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) has approved a “controversial” planning application for advertising signage in Bradley Stoke’s new town centre development. As reported in The Journal’s article on 30^th April, Bradley Stoke Town Council’s (BSTC) planning committee unanimously agreed to oppose the application at a meeting on 23^rd April, but the committee apparently overlooked the fact that SGC’s consultation period for the application had already expired on 15^th April.

An online objection was lodged by The Town Council on 28^th April, followed by a written objection (also received by SGC on 28^th April). However, a decision to recommend approval of the application had already been made by the SGC case officer with the issuing of a Circulated Schedule Report on 25^th April. The final decision to approve was made on 2^nd May after no requests were made by SGC councillors (or BSTC) to “call in” the application for a site visit or for determination by the SGC planning committee.

Quite why none of the SGC councillors representing Bradley Stoke chose to “call in” the application remains a mystery, particularly when four of these councillors are also members of the Town Council, including two (John Ashe and Sarah Pomfret) who sit on the BSTC planning committee that opposed the application.

The new town centre development is one of two topics to be discussed at a Special Meeting of Bradley Stoke Town Council on Thursday (8^th May). The ongoing dispute between the Town Council and Northavon Bowls Club over the Baileys Court rental agreement is also on the agenda. The press and public are invited to attend the meeting, although it is noted that recent deliberations on both of these matters have taken place “in camera” (i.e. the press and public have been asked to leave the room during the discussions).

Residents of South Gloucestershire are being urged to have their say on the future development of the district following proposals from the South West Regional Assembly (SWRA) which could result in the building of nearly 31,000 new homes by 2026.

While some of this development will be met from existing major new planned development areas at Northfield (Filton), Emersons Green East, Harry Stoke and Wallscourt Farm (Abbey Wood), nearly half of the growth required is expected to be provided from four new major new greenfield development locations, most of which would see land developed which is presently safeguarded as Green Belt.

South Gloucestershire Council (SGC), which has not accepted the levels of growth and development locations proposed by the government through the SWRA, has produced a “Core Strategy” document setting out a long-term vision for South Gloucestershire until 2026. The document suggests where new housing and jobs might go; it also identifies land that the Council believes should be protected.

Details of the Core Strategy and the public consultation (which closes on 13^th June 2008) can be found on the SGC website. Paper copies of the main “Issues and Options” document may be viewed at all South Gloucestershire libraries.

SGC is holding a public event on Tuesday 13^th May 2008 (2pm to 7:30pm) at Brook Way Activity Centre in Bradley Stoke, when residents will have the chance to find out more about the proposals and talk to a member of the Council’s planning team.