Dozens of concerned residents opposed to controversial plans for 121 new homes on a public field next to Highbridge’s Lakeside housing development and 47 homes on land in Walrow voiced their concerns at a public meeting on Tuesday evening (August 28th).
Over 70 residents attended a protest meeting outside the Bristol Bridge Inn amid growing local opposition to the two housing schemes.
Residents are worried about a loss of public open space, increased traffic, road safety and the adverse impact on the environment.
Resident Linda Greenland, pictured, told residents: “I will fight this one million per cent. For the sake of our community, we can’t let these housing plans go ahead.”
Residents will be distributing hundreds of fliers across the area during the next few days, encouring people to write to the district council to formally object against the plans.
And they may even camp in the field next to Lakeside to protest the plans and draw more attention to their concerns.
Linsa added: “It’s not being political or being a ‘Nimby’ – we simply want to save our town’s public spaces from the builders.”
“This affects not just Lakeside residents and Walrow residents, but the whole community from Burnham, Highbridge, Watchfield and outlying villages. We want to save our public open spaces for future generations.”
Resident Charlie Tillam added: “Walrow is bloody dangerous already. I can’t believe that anyone would really even consider putting hundreds more vehicles there.”
Highbridge district councillor Roger Keen explained that he’s held several discussions with planners over the schemes. “I have expressed concerns about road access, transport, flooding and ecology.”
“I have also asked for a full mitigation report about the effects of pile-driving and building work on the railway bridge and homes in the area.”
He added: “I spoke to the council regarding the Lakeside plans and all they have authorised is a land valuation. As this is a public field, they would need to hold a public referendum in order to sell it off.”
Denzil Clarke, who leads the ‘Lakeside Residents Public Open Space Committee’, added that he cannot see how the developer would fit 121 homes on the site and comply government housing guidelines. “It would be a huge over-development,” he said.
Residents also concerns about a lack of new doctors surgeries and schools planned to serve the thousands of new residents in Highbridge. They also expressed alarm at the “lack of truly affordable homes for first timer buyers.”
Regarding the Walrow plans, they raised concern at the extra traffic and risk of extra accidents plus flooding.
Brian Web from Highbridge’s angling association told the meeting that his group has submitted its opposition to the scheme already. “We’ve had a meeting with the developers and want the footpath moved and have also expressed our concern about access and the risk of extra thefts.”
