The Proposals

The site

The site is located to the immediate north of Oldbury Lane, adjacent to the recently consented ‘Land West of Park Farm’ development. The site is well screened by hedgerows, woodland, and trees. A strategic landscape buffer is proposed along the entire eastern edge of the site to ensure that the existing rural character of Moreton Lane and Lower Morton is maintained.

Site location plan (click image to enlarge)

We are preparing an outline planning application which establishes the principle of development on this site within a set of agreed parameters. Our plans include:

The Proposals

Up to 350 multi-generational homes, including 40% affordable housing

Potential for ground-mounted solar array to supply parts of the development with green energy

A flexible community hub known as The Oldbury Barn, which we envision being operated by a local community group

Potential for a café, healthcare and co-working space

Opportunity for early years provision, forest school and multi-use community hall

Play areas, food growing spaces, and enhanced wildlife habitats

Creation of enhanced orchard and walking trails

Benefits for nature, including a net-gain for biodiversity.

A mobility hub for scooters, e-bikes, EV charging and a car club scheme, together with new bus stops, to ensure the site's connectivity

Exploring the potential for later living

This outline application is to agree the principle of development and key areas like access only. If outline permission is granted, the detailed design and layout of the site, including house types, materials and overall appearance, along with landscaping and internal road layouts would be agreed with South Gloucestershire Council and other stakeholders and consultees, including the community, as part of subsequent reserved matters applications.

Benefits

There are a wide range of benefits that will support new and existing residents alike.

A mix of house types and sizes to meet a range of multi-generational needs

Community growing spaces for fruit and produce

A flexible community hub

Enhancements to local wildlife habitats

A new nature trail connecting into the wider landscape

Potential for on site energy generation to support the community uses

A major proportion of the site delivered as public open space, significantly exceeding policy requirements, including new formal and informal play areas

This is one way the development could come forward and shows the significant proportion of the site which would be dedicated to public open space and the strategic landscape buffer. (click to enlarge)

Oldbury Barn – a community hub designed by the community, for the community

We have undertaken early insight work with established community groups in Thornbury to understand local sentiment and priorities for the proposed community hub. Early feedback indicates community groups want a flexible and accessible space that can have a wide range of uses.

This would be a flexible community space responding to Thornbury's needs, and one of the key areas where we are keen to get local inputs to shape the final design.

Some initial ideas are:

  • A community hall with accompanying kitchen to host events

  • Early years provision to facilitate growth for young people

  • A forest school to deepen children’s connection to nature and reap the benefits of engaging with the outdoors

  • Farm shop stocking local produce and supporting local businesses

  • A cafe / farm shop

  • A flexible work space

It’s important that the hub offers a space for working, learning and socialising whilst fostering a community spirit.

We are keen to ensure that the community hub would also help support food growing and orchard / fruit production on site.

'Illustrative views and imagery to show how the development could look and be used in the future

Community Insights

We’ve been engaging with the local community in South Gloucestershire to understand what residents value most in new developments. A clear message emerged that future schemes should be designed to respond to the climate and nature emergency. There was strong support for rooftop solar panels, a fabric-first approach, and on-site renewable energy generation. These priorities have been embedded in our proposals.

The hatched area shows the proposed location for the solar panels (Click to enlarge)

Community energy scheme

Our vision is to make use of land on the site for renewable energy generation to generate clean, renewable energy. This could include a ground mounted solar array, potentially supporting a community energy scheme.

Biodiversity and nature

The proposals are being carefully designed to deliver a biodiversity net gain, helping to support local nature and wildlife. A signification proportion of the site will be dedicated as open green space, with features such as Blossom Trails and Wildflower Meadows creating vibrant new habitats. Watercourses will be enhanced with meadow grasslands, alongside the planting of native trees and shrubs to promote a thriving natural environment.