Elsewhere on this page you will see news of an extension to the period during which you can comment on the long term plans for development within Bath and North East Somerset.
Below is a press release on behalf of a group of people who are very unhappy about one possible long-term aim.
Eddie Suavo of Minerva Wine, on the Corston Vineyard Estate, writes:
“I am part of a community fighting against BANES, which proposes 3000 houses on Greenbelt. I thought you and the good people of Bath should be aware of this.
Please find attached the official press release.”
And here it is……
Somerset residents launch campaign against proposed new town on Bath’s greenbelt and Duchy of Cornwall farmland.
Hundreds of local residents have come together to launch the Burnett and Corston Protection Alliance. This new campaign aims to protect farmland and countryside being threatened by Bath and North East Somerset Council’s (B&NES) recent planning application for an entire new estate of 3000 houses on Duchy of Cornwall countryside and farmland between Burnett and Corston. i
A programme of local meetings is now being rolled out to inform local residents and encourage them to respond to B&NES’ local plan proposals before the deadline of 8 April. Speaking at Priston Village Hall on Saturday 16 March, Robert Davies, Chair of the BANES District Group of CPRE Avon & Bristol (Campaign to Protect Rural England) described B&NES’ plan as a “grotesque suggestion” in terms of rural, environmental and ecological impact.
The proposal will cover 300 acres of active farmland, including acres of wildlife reserves and completely surround the award-winning Corston Fields Farm. The is on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, whose estate stretches over 130,000 acres of land from Dartmoor to Herefordshire. The local Duchy offices informed the local farmer that they were unaware of this new housing development application yet realised the business potential should the proposals go through.
B&NES have suggested the site be developed by The Duchy of Cornwall “who have a proven track record of delivering high quality, sustainable and mixed use development”.ii Some local residents have highlighted what they see as a potentially hypocritical stance from the Duchy.
Corston Fields resident Richard Arthur said, “3000 houses may not seem a lot but the area is huge – bigger than all of Saltford. Apart from the destruction of heritage green belt, unacceptable volumes of traffic will be added to roads which are at capacity and very dangerous. Use up all brown field and industrial sites, and keep the green belt green!“
The Duchy of Cornwall’s “Future Farming” strategy sets forth goals to actively “increase stocks of natural capital across the Estate in a way that respects the landscape, creates genuine opportunities for wildlife and also enables sustainable and viable farming businesses to continue to provide food’. iii
Prince William is continuing the commitment to the environment shown by his father, King Charles, William has expressed interest in continuing to build sustainable villages as part of his ‘green city’ project but on land that is unused, with a reluctance to develop countryside areas for environmental and ecological reasons.iv
Given the commitment to environment and ecological preservation, it comes as a shock to campaigners that such a large area of land should be earmarked for housing development.
Caroline Lucas who lives in local community commented, “B&NES has declared a climate and ecological emergency yet they’re now encouraging the loss of vital countryside and the destruction of wildlife habitats. This is our shared countryside, and my husband and I are furious!”
Corston Fields Farm is one of the first zero carbon farms in the UK and is an award winner in the Duchy of Cornwall’s Habitat Award Scheme for its commitment to government guidelines to diversify and adopt sustainable farming methods. As a result of this greening and wilding approach, the land now provides a safe environment for critically endangered species such as skylarks, fieldfares, song thrushes, yellowhammers, cuckoos, newts and hares.
Gerald Addicott, who has been farming this land for over 40 years, said; ‘Approaching from the west on the A39, the first sight you get of Bath, lined in a newly-planted avenue of trees, is exactly the area where this development is proposed! It’s Greenbelt, beautiful farmland and it will be gone forever. It’s also home to RSPB critically endangered species; what are B&NES thinking?’
B&NES proposed site is also has archaeological value. The proposed housing area is at the base to the Stantonbury Camp which is an historical landmark and site of an ancient monument, Stantonbury Hillfort. The hill also contains a preservation of the mediaeval Wansdyke earthworks runs along Wellsway and over Stantonbury.
The campaign is encouraging local people to respond urgently to the B&NES’ local plan, available online at: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/local-plan-options/south-burnett-next-a39-potential-site
Press contact: James Addicott james.addicott@cantab.net 07885661142
There doesn’t seem to be a link that works.
It does now!
The deadline for comments has been extended to 16 April.