T We Told About Monstrosity on Our Doorstep?
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THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset FREE Issue 564 20th February 2019 Read by over 40,000 people each week ‘Why weren’t we told about monstrosity on our doorstep?’ Residents in Lyde Green say they were not told when they that planning permission had been given to develop the nine- Work is under way on the site bought their properties that a major expansion of the Bristol acre green site which sits between their homes and what has & Bath Science Park was planned very close to their homes. already been developed at the Science Park. Some people living in Poppy Close, Meadowsweet Road and Outline plans for the site to be developed as part of the Foxglove Road say they didn’t know when they moved in Science Park were submitted to South Gloucestershire Council in 2013 and approved in 2016. But the residents insist that the proposals did NOT come up on land searches - and they would never have bought their homes had they known. They say they are now considering pursuing compensation from Linden Homes. The residents we’ve spoken to say they were also not notified last year of subsequent detailed plans by the University of Bath for a new research and development facility – an Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems Centre. These plans were approved in October. The scheme will create hundreds of jobs and the university wants it to be one of the top three sites in the world for automotive powertrain research by 2023. Recently, amended plans for a revised phasing scheme for the site were lodged and the consultation period runs until 1st March. After Nicola Bowden Jones, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Kingswood, posted a campaign leaflet through doors in Lyde Green, residents Pat and James Bere, of Meadowsweet Road, got in touch to see if she could help them. The Beres, who moved into their home in 2017, have also raised concerns with MP Chris Skidmore, who they are waiting to hear from, and say local councillor Rachael Hunt has been helpful. Continued on page 3 Also in this S. Glos council tax to Independents to stand Rare Viking find in Volunteers wanted at rise by 2.99% in B&NES elections Saltford heritage railway week’s issue . page 11 . page 12 . page 14 . page 26 2 The Week in • Wednesday 20th February 2019 ‘Why weren’t we told about monstrosity on our doorstep?’ Continued from page 1 Mrs Bere says the scheme is “totally out of keeping with the village of Lyde Green, this was advertised and promoted as a rural residential area with undisturbed ancient hedgerows and wildlife blending into a tranquil environment”. The plans show some tree planting between homes and the new development, but she says because of its size – around 1.8 football pitches – it will tower over every other building. She also fears the site being used as a test centre will cause noise and pollution. With the plans including the storage of petrol and diesel less than an estimated 60 metres from some homes, as well as being close to the existing electricity substation, she adds: “It is like sitting on a ticking time bomb”. Mrs Bere has been advised by a local estate agent that such a development will devalue hers and surrounding properties by between 6 and 11 per cent. Kyle Day moved into his home in Poppy Close in April 2017. The new development will be directly in front of his property. He is also concerned about noise and pollution to the estate Some of the concerned residents with Nicola Bowden-Jones (far left) of Lyde Green from the extra vehicles. He said: “I've had an estate agent tell me that with this two- public space. Balanced, that is in the view of council officers Mrs Bere asks anyone affected to get in touch with her at storey monstrosity as my living room view, will decrease the and councillors. The problem is that when an area such as [email protected] value of my home by at least 10%. this is put together there are no local residents to consult and A Linden Homes spokesperson told us: “We'd like to reassure “On purchasing the property, the application for scrutinise the proposals.” our customers that we would always pass on any information PK13/2502/O (the outline planning application) was not She said residents of Poppy Close, Meadowsweet Road and that we have that relates to development near our sites. included in any of surveyors’ reports and so was not Foxglove Road find themselves the near neighbours of an Planning applications are in the public domain, enabling disclosed to my solicitor. industrial building, car parks and fuel storage facilities: “The anyone to access the information, and approved schemes “This additional phase (P19/0638/RM) being two storeys and original masterplan says little of the nature of the science would also show up in the searches carried out through the on already raised ground will overshadow the residents of park apart from colours on the map and reference to high tech solicitors. Poppy Close and block out the evening sun to our property. and research based employment uses. This proposal is much "We cannot control what's built on land that does not belong How this was even considered Is beyond me, this is total more like an industrial unit than a high tech science to us but we would always be upfront with our customers." disregard laboratory. And a council spokesperson said: “The application site lies for residents.” “Now that we have residents, the council needs to take within the boundary of the Bristol and Bath Science Park, Sharif and Shaheda Goolam-Hossen, of Foxglove Road, seriously the views, both opinions and visual, of the which has been allocated for this form of development for moved into their home in 2016 and say they had been told residents. The plans which existed when they bought their some considerable time. The resubmitted application was the land would be left as a field. They say they did not receive homes were vague; now that the detail of the development is received in January following approval of a similar scheme notification from the council of the plans last year, nor of the available the council must actively and positively engage previously, and is due to expire in April 2019. latest revised scheme. with the people most affected.” “The consultation period runs until 1st March so anybody Ms Bowden-Jones, who met residents at the weekend, said: She said they felt really let down by poor communication and who wishes to respond has the opportunity to do so. Our “When the new development at Lyde Green was proposed it urged everyone affected to unite and contact the council and usual process for notifying neighbouring properties has been provided a balanced mixture of housing, employment and Linden with their concerns. followed.” The Week in • Wednesday 20th February 2019 3 Five men attack From left, Annabel, Carys, David & Jenny occupants of a car in Downend Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault in Downend on Saturday morning. The incident happened at about 12.10am. A black Ford Fiesta was in collision with a wall in Badminton Walk. The occupants of the car were then assaulted by a group of men who are reported to have walked into the cul-de- sac. One man was taken to hospital with leg and arm injuries. The other occupant of the car received a blow to the head. Both men required hospital treatment. The five suspects are reported to have left the cul-de-sac on foot. Police are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident who may have information to help with their enquiries. Anyone able to help is asked to call 101, quoting reference 5219034577. THE WEEK IN Young lifesavers Barrs Court, Bitton, Brislington, Cadbury Heath, Compton Dando, Corston, Downend, Emersons Green, excel in national Fishponds, Hanham, Hillfields, Keynsham, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Mangotsfield, Marksbury, North Common, Oldland Common, competition Pucklechurch, Saltford, Staple Hill, Young lifesavers from Keynsham held fared well in the races including a 12m rope- Stockwood, St George, Warmley, their own against 25 university teams throw relay, a 4 x 100m swim-and-tow relay Whitchurch, Wick, Willsbridge. from across the country at a competition and a 4 x 50m lifesaving medley relay. 16,000 copies are distributed through in Warwick University earlier this month. The club’s competitions secretary Beth retail outlets, libraries, pubs, The team’s best results came in the simulated Stephens said “The team did amazingly well community centres each week. emergency situations designed to assess their against the best university teams in the Verified pick-up rate of 97%. ability to perform first aid and water-based country. Our team is going from strength to Publisher rescues under pressure. strength and I am immensely proud of the Keynsham & Saltford Times Ltd, 8 Temple Court, Keynsham. BS31 1HA The first incident was set in a restaurant, hard work that these athletes have put in.” 0117 986 0381 where a gas explosion plunged the diners Keynsham Lifesaving Club is affiliated to www.theweekin.co.uk into darkness. The Keynsham team the Royal Lifesaving Society and holds ISSN: 2052-9767 evacuated multiple casualties to safety weekly training sessions to teach members before performing first aid and aftercare to how to deal with life-threatening first aid Managing Editor Stephen Rodgers [email protected] secure a top 10 place. In the water-based emergencies such as choking, bleeding and News Editor Becky Feather 07973 839936 Contributors Christine Rogers incident, the team had just two minutes to medical shock; and how to help someone locate and rescue seven casualties split into who's fallen unconscious or has stopped Advertising Jodie Deason and Tracy Broderick two groups, 25 metres apart.