The local Friends of the Earth group is campaigning about a new regional plan for the next 20 years. The plan proposes a building boom round the edges of Bristol on a huge scale.

The plan calls for 92,500 new homes in the Bristol area. This compares with 170,000 homes currently in Bristol City. About two thirds of these will be in the existing built-up area, and the rest will be on green field sites round the edge of Bristol, including about 9,000 in South Gloucestershire. A corresponding number of offices and warehouses will also be built.

The plan does not say exactly where all this building will be, but suggests the Stoke Gifford area and Emersons Green. Wherever it is, it will generate a lot of new traffic and we will lose a lot of open space. We do need some new homes, especially affordable homes, but not on this scale.

The draft plan is in consultation now until towards the end of August. The plan can still be changed if enough people write in. Friends of the Earth urges everyone to tell the planners what they think. Details of how to do this can be found on their website www.southglosfoe.org.uk or by sending a stamped addressed envelope to FoE, Vine Cottage, Kington Lane, Thornbury, Bristol, BS35 1NA.

Alan Pinder 01454-416778

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