By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to build 235 homes in a Gloucestershire village near the M5 have been given the go-ahead amid frustration over “dangerous” and “congested” roads.
Robert Hitchins Limited has been granted permission to develop just under 24 acres of land west of the A4135 at Draycott, Cam.
Stroud District Council’s development control committee heard this week how the proposals are part of a larger 1,000-home estate near the M5.
Developers say it will create an “attractive” neighbourhood integrated as part of the north-western extension of Draycott and Cam.
But dozens of people had objected to the latest scheme raising concerns it will merge parishes into one urban sprawl.
Councillor Tina Walker, of Cam Parish Council, spoke at the meeting on July 28 and called for the plans to be deferred until several outstanding issues are resolved.
She raised concerns over the density, ecology and highway access at the site which she said is the “final part of the jigsaw of an over 1,000-house estate”.
“The Box Road junction is an ongoing concern,” she said.
“Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) agrees that it needs redevelopment as part of the Persimmon and Robert Hitchins development.”
She went on to say the county council has recommended that the plan should be refused.
“This specifically relates to the need for the roundabout at Goldfinch Edge and how it should be constructed alongside the exit spine road from the estate,” she said.
She explained the need for there to be entrance and exit as well as provision for emergency vehicles cannot be ignored.
“The entrance is being supplied by the Persimmon element of the estate and has currently not been signed off by GCC and hence the development has not started to be built.
“The idea that these issues can be signed off as conditions to planning is no longer acceptable to us.”
She detailed two other examples nearby which are still an ongoing concern.
Labour councillor Terri Kinnison (Cam West) said the development is having a wide impact across a much greater area. And residents along with the district councillors of Cam are concerned about the continued expansion of the village.
She also said previous promises for infrastructure improvements have not been fulfilled.
“Cam has already endured many years of large-scale development on its eastern and western margins,” she said.
These along with other smaller developments have caused noise, dust and mud issues as well as higher volumes of traffic and delays to travel, she added.
Officers said that the proposals were for outline permission but explained there is a design solution involving a new roundabout.
John Chaplin, majors and environment team manager, said: “I appreciate the comments from the parish council about the details not being agreed by the county council.
“That is correct but as this is an outline application access isn’t under consideration.”
During the debate councillor Lindsey Green (C, Berkeley Vale) also expressed concerns over the conditions for the proposals and questioned how enforceable they are.
She also asked if local GP surgeries and secondary schools have the capacity to cope with the new homes.
Officers said the authorities have requested developer contributions towards those needs.
Councillor Martin Pearcy (G, Coaley and Uley) raised concerns about traffic and also said the Box Road junction needs to be improved.
“Those people will take their car and they will drive to Cam and Dursley station,” he said.
“They will struggle. They might get in but they won’t get out.
“I do really think it is going to be a real congestion area.
“I’ve seen frustrated people trying to get past to get to their train taking risks.”
And councillor Milly Hill (L, Cam East) echoed these concerns and said a spine road and an exit via a roundabout are “absolutely critical”.
“There’s a nasty little railway bridge coming across from Slimbridge into Cam which is already a bit of a death trap,” she said.
“People don’t like it very much, it’s narrow and dangerous.”
She also said residents have already had to put up with a lot of building work and “they are not able to open their windows at the moment” because of dust and noise.
Cllr Green proposed a deferral until they receive a formal response from the county council on the highways issues and clarification on the developer contributions – however this was not seconded.
Labour councillor Dave Matthews (Cainscross) said the concerns would be addressed at the time when a reserved matters application for the site is put forward.
He suggested granting permission with a series of advisories highlighting several concerns.
The committee ultimately voted to grant outline permission by six votes in favour, two against and one abstention.