Residents Protecting Peasedown is a community action group opposing a developer’s plan to build 89 homes on an inappropriate greenfield site off Greenlands Road in Peasedown St John, near Bath.
The story so far
Following an appeal in June 2014, the original developer won outline planning permission to build on the field. Edward Ware Homes Ltd subsequently sold the field to Curo.
This developer was originally granted outline planning permission by an Inspector at appeal in June 2014 for 89 dwellings (72 houses and 17 flats), Following objections by the local community and councillors this scheme was stalled but in March 2018 planning chiefs at B&NES signed it off.
At that time Parish councillor Kathy Thomas said the development would be “far more harmful” than many villagers envisaged when permission was first granted. She said applicant Curo had not submitted details of how construction would be managed and feared the impact of HGV movements, particularly on the primary school, which is one of the largest in the area.
Ward member Councillor Karen Walker said that they opposed the principle of houses being built on this site and that Peasedown St John had taken more than its fair share of homes over the last 25 years, but the provision of infrastructure had not kept pace. She also claimed the scheme breached the existing residents’ human right to privacy.
The site’s challenging topography meant it would have to be heavily engineered, with most houses over a split level with three stories.
Objecting to the proposals, residents of Hillside View said the difference in height would result in a bank as high as two double decker buses near their homes that would ‘significantly’ affect their light, outlook and privacy.
Where we are now
No building work was started, despite Curo maintaining that they had permission to go ahead. In July 2022 at a public consultation at Beacon Hall Curo showed us their proposals for a revised development following "concerns raised by local community."
This proposal aims to build about 51 homes instead of the original 89. Curo claim it will include more green space and be less obtrusive. They are keen to push ahead with this and will submit a planning application to Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES) by the end of 2022 with a view to start construction on site in early 2024. They are aiming for completion in 2027.
Our concerns
We still don’t believe it’s possible to build a sustainable development on this steep field, as not all issues have been addressed. There is a need for us to influence the outcome.
Furthermore, back in 2014 B&NES was required to fulfil a housing quota in the area. This target has now been met and exceeded, so the arguments for new builds in the area are no longer relevant.
