Bradford on Avon residents campaign to protect golf course from housing

A campaign has been launched to protect a former golf course from possible development.

Residents and the city council in Bradford on Avon want the ‘ecologically rich’ land to be rezoned and turned into a nature reserve.

Chris Alexander, who made a short film for the campaign, said: “I feel the biodiversity and wildlife that has moved here outweighs the need for potential housing.”

The land was included as a reserve site in Wiltshire Council’s draft local plan, but a spokesman said it would only be considered for development if the targets could not be met elsewhere.

Bradford on Avon City Council has launched a petition asking Wiltshire Council to remove the former golf course from its draft local housing plan.

The golf course, which runs alongside the River Avon, closed in 2007.

It has previously been the subject of housing applications, one of which was rejected in 2008 due to fears that the development would involve “disturbing large quantities of toxic waste”.

“There was a tip at one point so there is evidence that there are quite a few toxic chemicals underground,” resident Kate Nottage said.

“The runoff into the Avon is a risk, the loss of biodiversity is a huge risk.”

Despite concerns, it has been earmarked by Wiltshire Council as a back-up site for up to 120 homes, which could be built by 2038.

Mr Alexander, of White Space Films, was commissioned to produce a 14-minute film showing the wildlife benefits of protecting the site, near Greenland View, from development.

Cabinet member for development management and strategic planning, Nick Botterill, said: “This is a large and complex undertaking.

“We want to make sure we get it right so everyone’s views have been taken into account before the plan is presented to the planning inspector for consideration.”

The Cabinet will consider the results of a consultation on the future of the site in October.