Concerns over four new homes in village north of Bristol as roads ‘can’t cope’ with traffic

The layout of the planned houses in Rangeworthy -Credit:Copyright Unknown
The layout of the planned houses in Rangeworthy -Credit:Copyright Unknown


Villagers have raised concerns about four new homes in a village north of Bristol as the local roads “can’t cope” with the extra traffic. Several people living nearby and local councillors said just four new houses would make the roads more dangerous.

South Gloucestershire Council has approved planning permission for the new detached houses on Wotton Road, in Rangeworthy north of Yate. The four new homes will be self-built, allowing future occupiers to customise their houses.

But councillors claimed residents would inevitably drive everywhere, given few amenities in the village, including even just over the road to get a new shop. Despite the concerns, the development management committee voted to approve permission on Thursday, April 11.

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Councillor Tristan Clark, chair of the committee, said: “Rangeworthy does have a few facilities. It’s got a public house, a primary school, and a village hall. But it means additional car journeys that will be going to places like Thornbuy, Yate and further afield for their weekly shopping, health facilities and secondary school.”

Cllr Tony Williams added: “If you’re coming home from work and you need a loaf of bread or bottle of milk, you’ll drive to the shop, and then from the shop you’ll drive home, which is just across the road.”

Several neighbours wrote to the council, objecting to the plans. They said the village has increased in size in recent years, while bus services have been cut, and other infrastructure hasn’t kept up.

One resident said: “A lot of development has occurred in the past five years, with no amenities supplied. This forces village residents to get into their cars, increasing traffic levels. The bus services through the village have already been cut hugely, impacting people's options to travel outside of the village.”

13 houses and a shop are planned for a site just over the road -Credit:Copyright Unknown
13 houses and a shop are planned for a site just over the road -Credit:Copyright Unknown

On the other side of Wotton Road from the planned new houses, another development will soon take place and already has planning permission. The plans include 13 new houses, offices and a shop. The committee also heard the four self-build houses will be energy efficient, and cheaper for buyers who will have to construct them themselves.

Coral Curtis, planning agent representing the developer Clifton Homes, said: “Individuals would purchase a Wunderhaus, which is fully customisable. Due to the nature of the Wunderhaus, it means these plots can be delivered much more quickly than your average self-build scheme, meaning that residents won’t need to spend years building their home.”

Peter Deane, a local resident and prospective buyer of one of the homes, added: “I’m an active member of the community and I have a young family. Between high interest rates, high house prices and the cost of living, options for young families like ours are limited.

“Self-build allows us to reduce the cost of the mortgage by offering up hard work in its place. Self-build homes are more affordable than traditional new-build properties. Through self-build I can provide for my family with room to grow, for less than a new-build property that we would quite quickly outgrow.”