A CONTROVERSIAL 350-home development in Thornbury is a step closer after the land was sold to a housebuilder.

Landform Estates has sold the 55-acre Cleve Park site to Miller Homes.

The land, off Morton Way, will be turned into a new development known as Cleve Wood.

South Gloucestershire Council refused planning permission in March 2017, and then launched a judicial review when the Planning Inspectorate Clive Hughes overruled its decision. The appeal was dismissed by the High Court in Feburary 2019.

Following the court case a spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “We are committed to plan-led development so that South Gloucestershire can grow to meet the future demand for housing in a sustainable way and we will robustly challenge decisions that undermine this.”

The development will consist of 350 two to five-bedroom properties, along with retail units and a care home.

Of the 350 new homes, 123 will be affordable and £1.5million will be invested into the local community through Section 106 contributions, including highways works to provide traffic calming measures and public transport infrastructure, and open spaces including public gardens, parks, outdoor sports facilities and wildlife corridors all within the development.

A detailing planning application is set to be submitted in the coming weeks and work could commence on site in the summer.

However, Miller Homes last week ceased work on all their sites following latest government advice regarding coronavirus.

Danny O’Connor, area managing director for Miller Homes Midlands, said: “This is a fantastic large site for the region and starts our journey towards creating a presence in the south west for Miller Homes.

“Demand for homes is high around Bristol, so we are pleased this development will contribute to the overall housing stock in this area.”

Miller Homes are now inviting contractors to get in touch to tender for the project. Email Benjamin.Reynolds@miller.co.uk or call the Miller Homes West Midlands office on 0808 250 6437.