A decision on a controversial planning application for the construction of two 4-storey apartment blocks on Bradley Stoke Way is unlikely to be made until next spring, the Journal can reveal.
Woodstock Homes, a privately owned developer based in the South West, wants to build the complex of 57 one- and two-bedroom apartments on vacant land opposite The Worthys.
? Further details of the proposals may be viewed in this previous Journal article: Planning application submitted for 57-unit apartment blocks on Bradley Stoke Way
The application, which was validated by South Gloucestershire Council on 10th May 2023, has so far attracted 51 comments of objection, with none in support. Included in the list of objectors are Bradley Stoke Town Council and, in a private capacity, Cllr Ben Randles, one of the two ward councillors for Bradley Stoke South.
Many of the objectors have expressed concern that the proposed car parking provision of 57 spaces, which the applicant admits is not policy-compliant, will be inadequate to cope with demand from residents, visitors and tradespeople – potentially leading to overspill parking in The Worthys.
Other points of concern that have been raised include the height of the proposed buildings, highway safety in view of the proposed new access off Bradley Stoke Way and the proposed used of metal cladding on the top storeys of the two buildings.
At the time of writing, no responses from internal or external statutory consultees have been published on the council’s planning portal webpage, which is unusual given the length of time that has passed since the application was submitted. Examples of these consultees would be the urban design, landscape and transport officers of the council and external agencies such as the Environment Agency and English Heritage.
Government rules require a local planning authority to determine an application of this complexity within 13 weeks and the implied deadline of 9th August 2023 has now been exceed by more than a month.
Once the deadline has passed, an applicant has the right to appeal to the Secretary of State for the case to be determined by an independent planning inspector, in place of the local authority.
In response to an enquiry from the Journal, a spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said:
“This is a large planning application that has raised a significant amount of objection. All matters raised in the letters received are currently being assessed and will be taken into consideration when the application is determined.”
“Given the nature of the application and the number of issues, it is unlikely that a recommendation will be made until spring 2024. Should a recommendation be made for approval, it is likely that the application will be determined at a public committee meeting.”
Editor’s note: The final sentence in the statemen above refers to the process whereby a council member can ‘call in’ a planning application to be determined by a committee of councillors should they disagree with the decision arrived at by a planning officer under delegated powers.
A source at Woodstock Homes said the company was hopeful that some progress would be made later this month (September), but declined to comment further at this stage.
Have your say
Related link: Planning application P23/01546/F (SGC)
At the time of writing, the application remains open to public comment – via the ‘Make a Comment’ button on the planning application webpage (see link above). Registration may be required if you haven’t previously commented on a planning application.
Comments already submitted may be viewed via the ‘View Comments’ button on the same webpage.
