A hamlet near a Somerset town that is helping to keep bespoke crafts alive could be surrounded by warehouses and distribution centres under plans locals have branded “absolute chaos”.
Clevedon Craft Centre was founded in 1971 by silversmiths Jeffrey Bright and David Stear and now offers a home to a range of crafts, from wood turning to leather working. The centre survived the building of the motorway and junction 20 right next door but now North Somerset’s new local plan — which is open for consultation until 5pm on Monday January 22 — could see the land around it concreted over.
A huge 25 hectare swathe of land surrounding the centre on all sides is set to be allocated for “distribution, logistics, and warehousing demands”. The local plan is a document produced by North Somerset Council which establishes where development is acceptable and will guide planning decisions in the district for the next 15 years.
The latest version of the plan has been in development for years and is on the verge of being submitted to the secretary of state for approval. But Clevedon locals have said that the land east of junction 20 was only added into the plan in October and nobody had realised what was being proposed until it was mentioned at a recent town council meeting.
Adele Gardner, who represents Clevedon East on the town council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “This was certainly not the best site to choose. It’s not suited to that type of development and the local people are extremely upset.”
She added: “It would cause absolute chaos around an area that has got quite a lot of neutral beauty.”
The local plan states the land is “well located to the strategic road network” but — as Clevedon commuters know — the junction 20 roundabout has no exit to the east. Now the craft centre is worried it could be in the way if building a new motorway exit goes ahead.
Jo Bright, daughter-in-law of co-founder Jeffrey, said: “It’s incredibly worrying for my father-in-law who has strived his whole working life to make the craft centre what it is.”
She added that they had international visitors making special visits to their centre because of what they offer, but thought that the decision had been made by people at the council who did not even know they were there.
She said: “They’ve decided Weston can’t handle any more of this so they are bringing it up to Clevedon.”
A nearby neighbour on Court Road claimed that the plans would also increase the risk of flooding. He said: “If you have an area that’s sensitive to flooding, what’s the worst thinking you can do? Concrete, tarmac, and tin.”
A spokesperson for North Somerset Council said: “Councillors have been very keen that our new local plan better reflects, and plans for, the needs of business. As such, our draft plan allocates 81 hectares of land to meet needs and aspirations across a range of economic sectors over the plan period.
“The focus for employment growth is the four main towns but the strategic economic importance of the M5 corridor and access to the motorway network is also recognised. As part of this, the draft plan proposes a new 25 hectare allocation at Clevedon adjacent to junction 20 primarily for distribution, logistics and warehousing space to meet medium and long term requirements.
“It is very much a longer term proposal as the development will require detailed design and significant enabling infrastructure, particularly a new arm to the motorway junction, to facilitate its delivery.”
The public consultation on the plan closes at 5pm on Monday January 22. You can have your say online here: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/localplan2039
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