Offices planned near M5 sparks row over Green Belt

Plans to build offices near the M5 motorway have sparked a row over protecting the Green Belt as neighbours say they’ll move away.

Developers want to build an incubator for start-ups in Almondsbury on an empty plot of land, creating three new buildings with 21 units for businesses.

Freemantle Developments is applying to South Gloucestershire Council for planning permission to build the incubator in between the A38 Gloucester Road and Woodside Drive.

They say there is a dire shortage of accommodation for new businesses starting up in the surrounding area.

But several residents have written to the council urging them to refuse permission.

Councillors on the development management committee are due to consider the plans on Thursday, when they will hear from neighbours as well as the developers about the proposed buildings.

Writing to the council, one resident said: “The negative impact this will have on all of us neighbouring residents, in real world terms, is something that’s hard to measure through data analysis and reports.

“Personally it will be enough to make us want to move house with the development overshadowing us and all of the negative implications that come with it.

“Protect the Green Belt and everyone around it please. We’re relying on it. This is people’s lives that will be hugely affected.”

Another resident added: “The increase in noise pollution and traffic pollution will be significant, with the risk of greater traffic on the A38 and stationary vehicles backing onto the A38 an obvious result through single lane entry to the site.

“Traffic coming off the motorway junction is already at capacity.”

The layout of the Almondsbury incubator – picture: Freemantle Developments

The situation is complicated by recent changes from the Labour government about Green Belt land.

Some parts of the countryside on the edges of cities are getting reclassified as “Grey Belt”, meaning they no longer serve the purpose they used to and should be used for new buildings.

While the small patch of scrubland is cherished by neighbours living nearby, there are buildings surrounding the site which is right next to junction 16 of the M5 and the A38.

Council planning officers say the land doesn’t stop the sprawl of large built-up areas, doesn’t prevent neighbouring towns merging, and doesn’t preserve the special character of historic towns.

The plans include three buildings, each two storeys tall. Some of the 21 units could be merged if a business wants to grow and take on a larger space. 76 car parking spaces would be created.

In planning documents, architects said: “The ability to occupy a larger unit or expand the business without moving to an alternative location is a key benefit and selling feature of this type of accommodation, where there is a critical shortage and strong and growing need.

“The workspace market in Bristol is going through a period of change, with increasing numbers of micro, SMEs, changing work styles supported by advances in technology, and a demand for new forms of accommodation such as flexible and co-working space.

“In this respect, it is essential to ensure sufficient space to support the growth of new start-up companies and to accommodate SMEs, including lower-cost and affordable business space.

“Flexible workspaces are increasingly relevant and appropriate during this period of restructuring and changing work styles.”

Main photo: Google Maps

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