Save Charborough Road School playing field
Say no to school field sell off!
Children walk, run, cycle or scoot up and down the hill to get to Charborough Road Primary every day.
For nearly a century, that route has remained relatively safe - until now.
But plans have been published by South Gloucestershire Council which would mean children travelling to school would have to negotiate a busy crossover junction just yards from the school gate.
The council wants to build two apartment blocks and two and three storey houses on the school playing field with the entrance bordering the school - with likely hundreds of vehicle movements each year.
Parents and residents alike fear the possibility of road accidents will increase whilst the school and the wider community lose a green lung in favour of a concrete, congested development that sits right next to the playground and stands outside the existing streetscape.
Crowdfunder update and clarification 18/12/25 Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to the crowdfunder to cover the costs for a professional planning consultant to represent the community at a South Glos Development Management Committee meeting. The crowdfunder has now reached the target. You can see how it's got on via the 'about' page. If for any reason that it is not necessary for the committee meeting, donations will be refunded to contributors. We wanted to reiterate that this is an independent campaign of locals who object to the proposed development adjacent to Charborough Rd School. It is not associated with the school or Olympus Trust and neither is the crowdfunder. The school field is the property of South Gloucestershire Council, as is the former pre-school garden fronting Charborough Rd. South Glos is ‘our’ council. This space, over many generations, has been of benefit to the children and families of the Filton Park community and as such has been referred to here as ‘our’ field. Should this green space disappear under a development, that is a forever loss to ‘our’ community of Filton Park.
Update 9/3/26 The application is still awaiting a decision. As a result of the crowdfunder, we have been able to enlist the support of an independent planning consultant. Following recent discussions, she wrote an excellent email on our behalf to the planning officer. This can be seen on the planning portal. It included a request for a road safety audit and speed survey to be carried out prior to any decision. It is hoped this will assist efforts to stress significant road safety concerns. Subsequently, a transportation officer recommended the same, saying ‘this is to be thorough and completely robust’. Where are we right now? The planning officer has said that he's 'waiting for the applicant to carry out a Road Safety audit and Speed Survey so everything is on hold.’ The planning officer in charge can make a final decision on the development or it can be referred to South Glos council's Development Management Committee. We understand that because of the nature of the application it should be referred to councillors on the committee to make a decision. Our planning consultant will also represent us all at an anticipated Development Management Committee meeting of South Glos councillors. A strong, supportive presence from as many residents as possible would be superb if/when a date is confirmed. For now, that's us up to date. We really appreciate your support. The badgers have been busy with more sightings in gardens around the field and on occasions school children have been happily playing there amongst the birdsong. All good stuff! With best wishes, Team save our playing field
Latest update 8/6/26 Hello everyone, things are on the move. The Planning Officer Roger Hemming expects his report on the development proposal to be visible to councillors on Thursday 11th June on the ‘circulated schedule’. The report should also appear on the website for planning applications so we can all read it. We need one or more councillors to refer it to the Development Control Meeting so that a decision to approve or refuse is made by elected councillors. Our planning consultant, Tessa Hampden, acting for residents will be speaking on our behalf focusing on the material planning considerations and asking councillors to vote against the plans. Dates for the next DMC meetings are Thursday 23rd June or July 25th at Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, BS15 9TR. July 25th seems the most likely date but June is not impossible. The agenda for each DMC meeting will be on the South Glos website. So what does this all mean? We're going to need your help in the form of a big turnout to demonstrate the depth of feeling locally when the meeting date is confirmed. Please save the dates! Thank you for all your support so far!
Latest update 27/6/26 The Planning Officer's report has been published and recommends the development is approved. It’s now been referred to the Development Control Meeting for a decision to approve or refuse made by elected councillors. Our planning consultant, Tessa Hampden, acting for residents will be speaking on our behalf focusing on the material planning considerations and asking councillors to vote against the plans. We're going to need your help in the form of a big turnout to demonstrate the depth of feeling locally. If you feel you’re able to come that would be hugely appreciated. The committee meeting will take place on Thurs 23rd July at 11am at Kingswood Civic Centre. Thank you for all your support so far!
Environmental loss = human cost
Children should have access to this precious green space despite this 0.9 hectare site being labelled ‘urban infill’ and a ‘capital receipt.'
All the evidence shows that spending time in and even seeing nature improves physical health and mental well-being - not least by increasing beneficial microbes we are exposed to.
The school does have access to an artificial multi-use games area surrounded by grass, hard play areas and a forest school.
Last summer, Filton consistently reached 30 degrees. Artificial man-made surfaces increase urban heating and in high summer this may be as much as 10 degrees. Yet grass and plants transpire, cooling air temperatures instead.
There is no Planet B - once this field is gone, it's lost forever.
Planning app v protected species?
A whole host of wildlife thrives on this green lung and what is effectively a green corridor that connects to other green spaces across Filton.
We are so lucky to have this in the heart of the city.
Yet ecologists commissioned by the developer insist that badgers don't live here. This footage would suggest otherwise.
If the development goes ahead, there will be a 39% loss in biodiversity.
Meanwhile we believe flooding concerns will increase as topsoil is removed, allowing water to run down hill into already saturated gardens.
Impact on local area
Close to 140 objections have been logged in response to this development. Why?
Because as a community we feel a lack of respect and consultation.
The Secretary of State for Education has an 'assumption' against the disposal of playing field land. The council has used a general consent order which does not require consultation to gain approval.
This is a small site being squeezed for accommodation that will stand out compared to neighbouring houses and streets, and overlook the school.
Meanwhile, a site off Southmead Road has been earmarked as potential for 350 homes in the new local plan. That's in addition to the new town being built with potential for 25,000 homes on Filton Airfield - less than 1.5 miles away.
A recent public meeting and subsequent discussion put resident fears in the spotlight namely:
Safety concerns from disabled residents at Bevan Court who said inappropriate parking around school times had already prevented ambulances getting to them.
Concern about traffic volume and parking spaces. A conservative estimate could mean at least 124 car movements a day, not counting refuse trucks, delivery vans...
Danger to pedestrians and children with hearing or sight impairments due to there being no pavement within the development and a 'shared spaces' entrance.
Children from the development being at risk of collision due to there being no pavement on which to walk to school.
The application is currently awaiting a decision by the planning officer who will either decide himself or refer to a committee of councillors - we believe this decision is imminent.
A successful crowdfunder means we can now afford an expert planning consultant to speak on our behalf at an anticipated Development Management Committee Meeting. If for any reason this meeting doesn't happen, donations will be refunded. Thank you so much for your donations.
Can you continue to help? You can download a letter to email councillors your thoughts and/or submit an objection on the planning portal. We believe in everyone having a voice.
Thank you,
Team save the school playing field.
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