Smart move to revive plan

A DEVELOPER has revived plans for a village housing development which were originally scrapped because of a wave of objections.Developer Charles Church Western originally pulled the plans to build homes on the former Smart Systems site in Arnolds Way, Yatton, because of unexpected opposition from villagers living near the site.Residents were outraged when Smart Systems originally announced it was selling the site for housing and they vowed to stop the developer's plans.However, the proposals have been resubmitted. Charles Church now has applied to North Somerset Council to build 29 homes and a new road onto the site. Company bosses say they have consulted with residents and believe they have come to a mutual agreement on the plans.In a letter to the council the firm says: "In our judgement the proposed project has been improved through the consultation process and now offers a development that integrates with the surrounding neighbourhood in a positive way."One resident says in a letter to the council: "This is currently a commercial site and should remain so."There is enough housing in Yatton but only a limited amount of local employment opportunities."Businesses in Yatton find it difficult to expand and stay in the village. If this site is lost to housing then the opportunity for another business to move on to this site will be lost forever. "To help control the increasing congestion on the roads of North Somerset we need to retain all the local employment opportunities we can, this application does not do this."Another resident says in a letter: "The site borders an active and large concrete works, which is a longstanding source of employment."The proposed plans for the number and type of properties adjoining such a commercial activity will only lead to complaints about noise, dust and operating hours."By allowing this proposed development the council is setting an unwelcome precedent regarding the construction of housing on commercial sites in Yatton.