Submitted on the 10th of April 2025
Despite the positive intentions, Siston Parish Council has raised significant concerns about the plan. They argue that the plan is not sound in its delivery of economic growth and enhancement of the quality of life for residents. According to their assessment, the proposed developments may lead to a loss of local jobs that are accessible by foot or bicycle, thereby causing financial strain, and emotional and physical health issues, ultimately detrimental to local economic growth. Although there might be an expansion of other local businesses, the necessary skill sets are different, and there seems to be no adequate exploration of the feasibility of retraining the local workforce during periods of unemployment. Commuting to similar roles in Wiltshire or Gloucestershire would likely increase emissions due to motorised travel over such distances, further harming the environment.
Another major issue identified by Siston Parish Council is the impact on greenbelt areas. They emphasise that development plots within the parish are intrinsically linked with the four commons, Warmley Forest Park and Siston Conservation Area. The council feels that the evidence presented does not justify the special circumstances that would allow for the extensive housing proposed (NPPF p145) and neither could the sites be greybelt as determined by the new NPPF and request the selected sites be urgently reviewed. The significant reduction in greenbelt areas will reduce biodiversity, increase flood risks, diminish air and water quality, and limit carbon dioxide absorption. These negative impacts contradict claims that the plan will future proof the community against climate change, regardless of the build quality of new homes.
Due to actions by developers, deer populations have already been dispersed, resulting in the tragic deaths or euthanisations of at least three deer within our parish. This situation raises grave concerns about the future of our animal populations, as these disruptions could lead to the extinction of some species in our area. Siston Parish Council are not satisfied that these special aspects of our parish have been considered against other areas which have retained uninterrupted green belt status. Neither is it evident that the deeply historic site of Siston Manor and the one remaining toll house of its type have been considered when siting so many houses in Siston.
Whilst South Gloucestershire Council acknowledges the siting of a Roman road and medieval findings, it seems they will be considered but not protected completely from development, which does not meet the requirements as outlined in the NPPF 2023. The Parish Council insists that these historic sites are invaluable to the community’s heritage and should be preserved in their entirety to maintain the cultural and historical landscape of the parish.
Siston Parish Council would also like to highlight that currently Warmley and Kingswood Hill residents already live in an Air Quality Management Area, where levels of nitrogen dioxide are so high as to be a threat to human health, which brings into question how people residing in an excessive quantity of new homes can be assured that they will enjoy good health and how can existing residents ever expect the situation to be improved in real terms. This calls into further question the soundness of the proposed plan.
Siston Parish Council would be positively receptive to a range of new homes at a lower level than this plan delivers, that truly reflects the needs of its community, which are affordable and truly integrated within the community. Large estates without nearby amenities are more costly to run in the longer term and detrimental to people’s health and aspirations. This plan is not sound, as it expects residents to walk 2.5 miles to enjoy the park in Kingswood, which is not in the parish at all. The largest supermarket facilities are 3.1 miles to Longwell Green and 4.1 miles to Emersons Green, without a direct local bus route to either destination and neither is it based on the known needs of local people. Siston Parish Council feels that nothing has been learned from previous exercises, such as Yate and Siston Park, and this needs to be addressed to make the plan sound.
Siston Parish Council would also like to highlight that the wording of the Local Plan is too flexible, in that the Planning Department has allowed amendments to approved planning applications at Barry Road, which initially included a variety of homes and services, such as doctors’ practices, but was later altered to a single type of affordable housing. Unless South Gloucestershire Council has a way to manage this aspect, then the local plan, becomes unsound, as it can never be carried out as outlined, even allowing for small amount of inbuilt flexibility.
Infrastructure within Siston Parish is already significantly overloaded, particularly the A4174. The parish’s minor roads, shaped by its origins as two former villages, are struggling to cope with the increasing traffic, which has led to applications for assess and decide assessments prior to the local plan. Proposed changes, such as the amendment to the double roundabout by the Griffin Public House, are expected to exacerbate congestion rather than alleviate it, as the traffic flow will no longer be uninterrupted.
Additionally, the traffic assessment for the new development at The Grange site has not taken into account the overall scheme to be announced. This piecemeal approach to assessment means the findings regarding the impact are inherently flawed. Evaluating each scheme in isolation fails to provide a comprehensive picture of the cumulative effects on traffic and infrastructure. This makes the approach to infrastructure unsound and gives lack of confidence in local people.
Siston Parish Council believes the required number of homes does not reflect local needs. Councillors are very disappointed that South Gloucestershire Council has not challenged the government’s building requirements, which do not align with census data.
Siston Parish Council has highlighted limitations in the consultation process, particularly for housebound residents or those without internet access. Despite suggestions, South Gloucestershire Council has not sent letters to affected properties, leaving the most vulnerable unconsulted. Siston Parish Council does not believe that the diverse needs of the local people are reflected in the plan.
People will use their vehicles in reality. The plan is short-sighted because it pressures residents along the A4174 and overlooks more suitable locations further away. Over time, poorly planned areas decline, requiring expensive regeneration, like in Kingswood. Proper planning can prevent degrading our areas and pressure on future generations’ health. The current infrastructure cannot support the excessive number of homes proposed for Siston Parish, even with promised developer funding.
Siston Parish Council overall concludes that some aspects of the plan are unsound and call on the Planning Inspectorate to look at these aspects of the proposed Local Plan for South Gloucestershire.