Chief Trading Post: Developer responds to questions on shop and doctor’s surgery

The group behind the redevelopment of the Chief Trading Post site in Oldland Common says a shop and a doctor’s surgery still form part of its plans amidst concerns they had been dropped.

Max Freed, who is part of Oldland Common LLP, also told Bristol World today that the previous occupiers of the Chief Trading Post will run the shop, which under approved plans would be at the entrance to the site off Barry Road. More detail, including ‘minor amendments’ to the plan, will be made public soon, he said.

Mr Freed also said that part of the land was still earmarked for a doctor’s surgery - although funding would need to come from the Government for the idea to relocate Oldland Surgery to the site.

Mr Freed answered Bristol World’s questions after Alliance Homes announced it now intended to make all 50 homes planned for the rear of the site ‘affordable’, as opposed to 35% in the outline planning application approved last year.

The homes would be one to four-bed homes and be evenly split between those for rent and those available for shared ownership, the social housing provider has said. The detailed plans have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council for approval, while the provider has also launched a consultation.

Along with the outline planning permission granted for the 50 homes and doctor’s surgery, full planning permission was given by the council for the new shop and six supported homes to Oldland Common LLP.

The launch of the consultation by Alliance Homes, whose plans do not include the shop or doctor’s surgery, had led to concerns the site would be used solely for a housing estate.

As a result, Bristol World asked Mr Freed, from Oldland Common LLP, if the farm shop was still part of the plan for the site. He replied: “Yes, this retail element is still part of the development of the site. It will be run by the previous occupier of the Chief Trading Post. Some minor amendments of the plans for this building are being made which will need to be approved by South Gloucestershire Council.”

We also asked if the doctor’s surgery was still part of the plan. He replied: “Yes, the doctor’s surgery site is still part of the plan and is still available for them. There are ongoing discussions with the local doctor’s surgery [Oldland Surgery] about the project. The funding of the doctor’s surgery is a matter for them and not within our control, but we understand that they are seeking the necessary government support.”

The Chief Trading Post had been based at the site for many years. It featured a cafe and a garden nursery. There were also other businesses based there, such as fruit wholesalers Tooty Fruity and dog groomers Kelsey’s Pad.

The redevelopment, it was said, would safeguard the future of the farm shop. The planning application approved last year was approved with 35 letters in objection, and 26 in support.

Council officers said that benefits including housing and employment outweighed any harm on the countryside from the development. The approved plans can be viewed on South Gloucestershire Council’s planning portal under the reference: P21/05366/F.