Chief Trading Post: Green light given for demolition of farm shop and cafe ahead of redevelopment

The development will see 50 new homes
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Work can now start on knocking down buildings on the Chief Trading Post site in Oldland Common after planning permission was given to redevelop the site by South Gloucestershire Council.

Developer Oldland Common LLP will provide a new farm shop and cafe for the business on part of the site closest to Barry Road while creating six supported living homes behind it.

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Outline permission has also been given for the second part of the development which will see 50 homes and a health centre - although exact layouts and designs for the buildings still need to be agreed with the council.

Although not yet reported, planning permission was granted last month. And just last week, council officers agreed to a landscape management plan so work to demolish the site can begin.

Today (December 29), the Chief Trading Post, which features a popular cafe as well as garden nursery, was closed despite a ‘we are open’ sign at the entrance gate.

The site comprises shop and cafe, fruit wholesalers Tooty Fruity and dog groomers Kelsey’s Pad. From the Barry Road entrance several dilapidated green houses can be viewed.

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After the plans were unveiled for the redevelopment, Chief Trading Post said that a new base at the site would safeguard the future of the business. Bristol World has approached the business to ask if this remains the intention.

The redevelopment will take place at the Chief Trading Post site off Barry Road in Oldland CommonThe redevelopment will take place at the Chief Trading Post site off Barry Road in Oldland Common
The redevelopment will take place at the Chief Trading Post site off Barry Road in Oldland Common

However, some people had lodged concerns over the planning application. Bitton Parish Council, although in support of much of the scheme, said there were a lack of bus services serving the new estate and not enough car parking proposed for the new shop and cafe.

There were also 35 letters of objections from residents. Concerns raised included a substantial increase in traffic and encroachment on Green Belt land.

The council also received 26 letters of support, including one from Bitton and Oldland Common councillor Erica Williams who said the development offered a good mix of housing and services.

The layout shows the retail and cafe at the top left of the development. Most of the site will be taken up by the 50 homes.The layout shows the retail and cafe at the top left of the development. Most of the site will be taken up by the 50 homes.
The layout shows the retail and cafe at the top left of the development. Most of the site will be taken up by the 50 homes.
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She added that relocating Oldland Surgery to the site would be of huge benefit - however, planning officers noted that the NHS currently had no money set aside for the proposed relocation.

Council officers said that the amount of parking offered - 145 spaces across the site - met local policy. They also said that benefits including housing and employment outweighed any harm from the development.

The plans can be viewed on South Gloucestershire Council’s planning portal under the reference: P21/05366/F.

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