Residents gather in Charborough Road to protest the proposed housing development
“We don’t want houses here.” This is what children shouted during a council planning visit to a former school field in Filton as residents protested against a housing development on the site.
A group of concerned residents gathered to protest the 36-home development next to Charborough Road Primary School on July 10.
The community group opposing the scheme says the development would increase the risk of road accidents, worsen heat exposure for pupils, and destroy the habitat of a family of badgers living on the site.
During the visit, residents gathered at the boundary of the field, with children chanting “we don’t want houses here” while councillors inspected the plot.
Filton Town councillor Alan Bird said the proposals appeared to contradict both South Gloucestershire Council’s own road-safety policies and Department for Education guidance on active travel.
He said: “Frenchay Primary is three miles away and yet the council is trialling banning cars there as part of a school street scheme to reduce traffic, improve safety and create a healthier environment at drop-off and pick-up times. Why is it considered acceptable to increase traffic next to Charborough Road Primary?”
A residents’ spokesperson told councillors: “Residents would like to know why Filton children matter less.”
Adam Rabone, a representative for the applicant, Aequus, said the development would provide “a meaningful contribution to meet housing needs”. The proposal follows Labour’s 2023 pledge to build 1.5 million homes across Britain.
Mr Rabone acknowledged that highways concerns had been the biggest issue raised by residents. He said: “We have commissioned an independent road-safety audit and speed survey and worked with the council’s own highway team to act on every finding.”
A concerned parent said: “As a parent, but also someone who lives on Charborough Road, I’m really concerned that the rest of my child’s primary education is going to be next to a building site.
“The impact [the development] will have on her education and the environment of the school, there is no way it’s not going to be detrimental.”
The parent also stated that the children were “very aware” of the proposed developments. The parent said: “It’s making them anxious.”
The planning applicant did not respond to a request for further comment.
South Gloucestershire councillors were due to decide the fate of the former school playing field on Thursday 23 July at Kingswood Civic Centre, however this has since been postponed.