Fears for farmland in Portishead

OUTRAGE is building among the residents of Portishead as plans to develop remaining farmland in the High Street for residential use unfold.

CSJ Planning Consultants, acting on behalf of Bristol City Council, will reveal proposals to develop Grange Farm, behind White Cot Stores, at Portishead and North Weston Town Council planning meeting tonight (Wed).

Maria Griffin, who was born and raised in Brendon Road, Portishead, said: "This is outrageous. Every single piece of character and history is being stripped from the centre of our town to make developers a fast buck. It has to be stopped."

Mrs Griffin, aged 46, added: "Where is this going to stop? The old St Peter's School building was an important historical land mark in our High Street but they demolished that and replaced it with a modern block of flats.

"They have applied to build on the open space at the entrance to High Street by Gordano School and now they want to develop our remaining farmland sites.

"I have heard residents are starting a petition to stop this and the planning application hasn't yet been submitted, so you can see how strongly people feel about it."

A Portishead land owner who did not want to be named confirmed: "I have been approached by developers who want to use some of my land for an access road in to a High Street Farm development."

Town council clerk, Penny Rendle, said: "The request by CSJ Planning Consultants to give a presentation to councillors at the planning meeting is the first the town council has heard of any plans to develop the farmland."

It is understood developers are also looking at the two other remaining farm sites in the High Street, with a view to building more homes.

A spokesman for CSJ Planning declined to comment. He said: "I am sure you understand it would not be protocol to say anything on the farm developments until after we have spoken to the town planning committee on Wednesday."

Anyone concerned about these issues should contact their local councillors.