NEW 70 Dwellings Application at Devils Bridge Bleadon Hill

UPDATE 23 July 2017 - BPC submit comment to NSC on this application

An Outline Planning Application (17/P/1138/O) for 70 dwellings has been submitted to NSC on land at the junction of Bleadon Hill and Bridgwater Road near Devil's Bridge.

"Land adjacent to Bridgwater Road Weston-Super-Mare. Outline application for the erection of up to 70 dwellings with associated public open space. All matters reserved for subsequent approval except highway and pedestrian access."

Comments can be made directly via the link above, the current consultation deadline has now been extended to  25 July 2017, according to the NSC website.

Based on our recent personal experience of two other major housing development applications on Bleadon Hill that after refusal by NSC went to public inquiry appeal (one accepted and one rejected by the inspector), it seems that planning application decisions need not take account of the holistic 'bigger picture'. Services outside of the delivery of NSC responsibilities do not seem to be taken into consideration at the time of the application. So for example, a developer can be asked by NSC to make section 106 or Community Infrastructure Levy contributions to compensate some NSC services affected but there is no official statement on how related health care provision will be met as a consequence. The health care service provision in the area is already at breaking point, particularly evident when trying to get a GP appointment, so more houses equate to more people, and that can only make matters worse. Surely this is wrong, so please ask your local councillors and MP how these issues are addressed (contact details here).

FYI, all the residents of Bleadon Parish were asked by BPC in 2005 via a questionnaire how they would like to see their community develop over the next 20 years. In 2009 a Parish Plan was adopted by BPC and supposedly submitted to NSC (http://www.bleadon.org.uk/parishplan.html with residents views summarised in the 103 Improvements leaflet). Unfortunately when BOB raised this with BPC at the time of the 2016 Bleadon Hill Appeals it could not be found, and worse, they refused to correspond with BOB on the topic, subsequently submitting us to their draft 'vexatious policy'! While Parish Plans seem to have been superceeded by neighbourhood Plans for planning matters, according to CPRE (Campaign for protection of Rural England) they still remain a good indication of local views. More details https://planninghelp.cpre.org.uk/improve-where-you-live/shape-your-local-area/parish-plans

This particular development site is not within the Bleadon Parish Council boundary so, from my understanding, BPC will not be formally asked for comment, but yet again the bigger picture of the consequential effect on all services should surely be considered, for example, increased local traffic (on an already dangerous junction) as other routes via Bleadon may be taken. Local community services may also be used such as the halls, playground, wildlife reserves, footpaths. toilets etc., and whilst this might enliven the village it will also presumably come at an increase in residents' precept to cover the associated maintenance, health and safety, insurance, etc. costs. So why should BPC not be formally asked for their comments? Of course all individuals are able to submit comments personally as they did also collectively via our Parish Plan.

So in conclusion, if all aspects of this application are considered in the wider context then it could be of benefit to the community with all outstanding concerns and issues being addressed. Unfortunately, from past recent experience it could just cause more emotional and financial stress for local residents and be detrimental to their current future health and well-being. To read and/or comment on the local discussion and feedback on BOB see comments below and https://www.facebook.com/BleadonBOB/. Also see related Mercury article published 22 Jun 17.

Also previous BOB post here