Thank You for Standing Up for Hanham’s Green Belt

Land at Castle Farm Road, Hanham - known locally as "The Batch"

Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society would like to thank all our members and the many local residents who submitted Representations to South Gloucestershire Council during the Regulation 19 Public Consultation on the South Gloucestershire Local Plan.

Thanks to your efforts, there was a remarkable last-minute surge in responses, with the number of online submissions climbing from 186 on the evening of Wednesday 9th April to an impressive 437 by the consultation deadline of 11:59pm on Friday 11th April. In addition to these online contributions, our fellow campaigners at Save our Green Spaces South Gloucestershire (SOGS-SG) delivered 167 hand-written objections to the Council on the final day - an extraordinary show of community action and commitment.

Many residents voiced their serious concerns about the continued inclusion of two controversial development sites in Hanham:

• HA1 – Land at Castle Farm Road (“The Batch”)

• HA2 – Land at Castle Inn Farm

These sites remain in the draft plan despite a wide range of clear and valid objections, including:

• Refusal of outline planning application P23/01330/O (HA1) on 16th August 2024

• No new infrastructure provided to support development

• Loss of recreational space for the community

• Harm to landscape character and openness

• Adverse impacts on local wildlife

• Increased traffic congestion and pollution

• Distance from essential services, including supermarkets, GP surgeries, and schools

• Potential damage to ancient woodland at Hencliff Wood and Bickley Wood

• Fragmentation of the Green Infrastructure Corridor F

• Run-off pollution into the River Avon

• Negative impacts on heritage assets, including Castle Inn Farmhouse and West Hanham House

• Loss of productive agricultural land vital for food security

• Safety risks associated with a single access road into the proposed estate

• Demolition of a family home to create this access, with serious consequences for residents of Hencliffe Way

These concerns are well-founded and reflect the deep understanding and connection our community has with its natural and historic environment.

What Happens Next?

Now that the consultation period has closed, South Gloucestershire Council will prepare the submission version of the Local Plan for review by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. An independent Inspector will then be appointed to examine the Plan.

All representations submitted - including yours - will be made publicly available and will form a critical part of this examination process. A summary of the issues raised will be published on the Council’s consultation website at: Have Your Say Today – Evidence Base – Local Plan Reg 19

Next Key Milestones:

• September 2025 – Submission of the Plan and all representations to the Secretary of State

• March to October 2026 – Public Examination Hearings by the appointed Inspector

• November 2026 – Publication of the Inspector’s Report and recommendations

• December 2026 – Final Adoption of the Local Plan

We will continue to monitor developments closely and keep our members informed every step of the way.

Once again, thank you for your incredible support and commitment to protecting Hanham’s green spaces. Together, we’ve shown that our community cares deeply about our environment, our history, and our future.

Let’s keep fighting for Hanham’s Green Belt!