Council unveils vision for Cribbs/Patchway New Neighbourhood

A detailed planning framework for the development of the proposed Cribbs/Patchway New Neighbourhood has been published today (20th January) by South Gloucestershire Council, marking the start of a six-week consultation that includes a ‘drop-in’ event at Coniston Community Centre on Thursday 6th February.

The draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) details the council’s vision for the future of the area, which includes the Filton Airfield site, and the facilities and infrastructure that will be required as part of a significant mixed-use development.

The council’s proposals will see more than 120 acres set aside as employment land as part of a new Filton Economic Area focused on aerospace and advanced manufacturing and with the potential to create up to 6,000 high quality new jobs.

The plans also allocate land for emergency air services including the Great Western Ambulance Service and for Concorde and the Bristol Aero Collection, helping to ensure that the area’s aerospace heritage is safeguarded for future generations.

Up to 5,700 new homes including affordable and extra care housing are proposed for the new neighbourhood site, and the draft plans detail the new schools and community facilities that the new community will require.

The new neighbourhood will also see significant investment in new roads and public transport infrastructure, and land will be safeguarded for two new railway stations on the route of the Henbury Line.

Welcoming the launch of the consultation, Chair of the council’s Planning, Transportation and Environment Committee Cllr Brian Allinson said:

“The Cribbs/Patchway New Neighbourhood is a key element in our vision for the North Fringe area and will include new homes, new employment areas and new infrastructure including public transport facilities, walking and cycling routes, schools and open spaces.”

“It is especially exciting to see in greater detail the council’s vision for the development of employment land in support of a new Enterprise Area focused on aerospace and advanced manufacturing. This development has the potential to support up to 6,000 high-quality new jobs while also attracting significant inward investment.”

“Long-term projections suggest that the North Fringe will continue to grow as the region’s economic powerhouse and I am sure that the provisions set out in this detailed planning document will play a vital role in safeguarding the area’s future economic prosperity.”

“Over the next few months we will be inviting local people to comment on our detailed plans and I encourage everyone to make their views known whether online, by post or at one of our engagement events.”

Chair of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership Collin Skellett said:

“Filton’s Enterprise Area will be a key part of the future West of England economy, helping to generate new jobs and attracting inward investment to our region.”

“The draft planning documents set out an exciting vision for how this enterprise area will be delivered as part of the Cribbs/Patchway New Neighbourhood and I hope that many local residents and businesses will read it and share their views.”

“I know that local employers are strongly committed to the vision of a new aerospace centre of excellence in Filton and we look forward to working with employers and the council as the new neighbourhood takes shape in the coming years.”

Katherine Bennett, Airbus Vice-President Public Affairs said:

“The Enterprise Area in the Filton area is an important boost to the aerospace industry nearby. Airbus has just completed part of the new £70m Airbus Aerospace Campus and we look forward to working with South Gloucestershire Council and other aerospace companies locally in the next stage of development.”

John Pritchard, VP & MD Metallics – GKN Aerospace said:

“At GKN we consider the growth of high value engineering aerospace jobs vital to underpin the South West’s position as a high technology leader. The inclusion of a dedicated aerospace and advanced manufacturing zone will help drive innovation, creating a world class engineering environment, and will strengthen our position as one of the UK’s leading centres for aerospace excellence.”

The six week consultation period runs until the end of February and a revised planning document, incorporating feedback from the consultation, will be considered by councillors in March.

Further information about the consultation is available online and four consultation events will also be held in the coming weeks at the following locations:

• Tuesday 28th January: Clifton Rugby Club (3pm to 7pm)
• Wednesday 29th January: Greenways Centre, Southmead (3pm to 7pm)
• Tuesday 4th February: BAWA, Filton (6pm to 9pm)
• Thursday 6th February: Coniston Community Centre, Patchway (3pm-7pm)

Comments can also be made by email to cribbspatchway@southglos.gov.uk or by post to PO Box 299, Major Sites Team, Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, BRISTOL, BS15 0DR.

All comments must be received by Friday 28th February.

Source: Press release from South Gloucestershire Council.

More information and related links:

• Consultation page for the “Cribbs/Patchway New Neighbourhood Supplementary Planning Document – Pre-adoption draft – January 2014”
• Cribbs/Patchway New Neighbourhood (The Journal)