200 homes and community space at Parcel 0014 Charlton Road, Keynsham

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for up to 200 homes, Class E floorspace, open space, landscaping, drainage and access from Charlton Road.

“The application seeks outline planning permission for the erection of up to 200no. residential dwellings, Class E floorspace, open space, landscaping and other associated works. All matters are reserved except for access. The scheme also proposed to deliver 45% affordable housing (up to 90 homes). The application has been revised and additional information submitted during the assessment process.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site comprises three sloping agricultural fields west of Charlton Road, enclosed by hedgerows and trees, with housing opposite and views from Queen Charlton.

“REPORT The application site is located to the west of Charlton Road which is on the south western edge of Keynsham. It is made up of three agricultural fields which slope gently from the south west to north east. The fields are enclosed with existing hedgerows and there are some mature trees along the eastern boundaries. There is existing housing development on the eastern side of Charlton Road, opposite the site.”

“The site forms part of the West Keynsham allocation option within the Local Plan Options Document (September 2025).”

Officer report

Planning history

The report states there was no relevant planning history on the site, but lists three nearby residential permissions from 2015 and 2017.

“There is no relevant planning history on this site, however there are development sites in the vicinity which are relevant to this application and are listed below.”

“14/00049/FUL Erection of 266 no. one, two, three, four and five bedroom dwellings including 80 affordable housing units (30%) along with the provision of landscaping, open space, car parking, drainage and associated works. PERMIT: 5 February 2015”

Officer report

What people said

Of 113 contributors, eight supported, 99 objected and six made general comments, with concerns including Green Belt loss, traffic, infrastructure, drainage and ecology.

“Green Belt: - Inappropriate development in the Green Belt - Loss of openness and erosion of the rural setting - Strong contribution to the purposes of the Green Belt - No very special circumstances demonstrated…”

“Highways: - Charlton Road is congested - Keynsham is congested - High levels of pollution along Charltonm Road - Whitchurch junction is busy - Lack of parking in Keynsham - Additional cars will cause road issues - Estate roads on existing Bilbie Green estate are not wide enough - Disruption to the roads during construction - Additional traffic generation - Risk of mud and debris on the road - Severe traffic impacts - Unsustainable location - Car dependency - Public transport…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The ward councillor spoke against the application, citing housing, drainage, traffic, infrastructure, safety, landscape and wildlife concerns and asking for refusal.

What members debated

Members discussed Grey Belt criteria, drainage, connectivity, landscape harm, Redlynch Lane, housing need and the detail still to come at reserved matters stage.

“In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed: 1. In terms of the criteria for grey belt that land must strongly contribute to stopping the unrestricted sprawl of large built up area, Keynsham would be considered a large built-up area in this definition. 2.”

“Cllr Halsall noted that it was an outline application and there was still a lot of detail to come forward in the reserved matters application including drainage details. He referred to the new NPPF and acknowledged that the application would contribute towards Bath and North East Somerset’s housing deficit.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The motion to delegate permission to officers was carried by five votes to four.

“Cllr Simon opened the debate and referred to context of the new planning framework and the strong steer from Government to approve applications such as this one. He stated that there were no good grounds to refuse the application and moved the recommendation to delegate authority to officers to permit the development. This was seconded by Cllr Gourley who commented on the benefits of the application such as the provision of affordable homes, a play area and allotments.”

“On voting for the motion, it was CARRIED (5 in favour, 4 against).”

Minutes

What was decided

The committee delegated permission subject to the listed Section 106 obligations and the report’s conditions or other appropriate conditions.

“RESOLVED that officers be delegated to permit the application subject to: 1. A Section 106 Agreement to secure the following: a. Securing of Class E unit b. Securing of 45% Affordable Housing c. Securing of Public Open Space d. Securing of Open Space/Landscape Management e. Highway works to and around Charlton Road f. £2000 toward seating/public realm improvements within the local area g.”

“The conditions set out in the report (or such conditions as may be appropriate).”

Minutes