Credit: Simon Goodwin.
A packed Parish Council Planning meeting on Monday 15th December at The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, saw residents fill the hall to capacity, with hundreds more standing outside, voicing their concern to Winterbourne Parish Council over the recent proposal from Waddeton Park Ltd to build 124 dwellings on Green Belt at Hicks Common, Winterbourne.
Two hundred villagers took the room to capacity, and another 337 people queued outside in the rain to add their names to the growing list of people opposing this new building proposal.
On 29th November, a small number of residents received a letter from Waddeton Park Ltd informing them of the proposal to build on the Green Belt at Hicks Common, with the developer’s consultation open until 8th December.
There has been an Overwhelming Response from the Residents of Winterbourne and the surrounding area, and to have rallied in such large numbers in such a short time is remarkable and shows the strength of feeling – with the overriding message being: enough is enough.
The meeting heard from several residents who were all against the proposal. Points made included:
- The area is designated Green Belt.
- Winterbourne is becoming surrounded by new developments, with others proposed, and the area has ‘done its bit’ for Government targets.
- The GP surgery is already struggling.
- The environmental impact now, and for future generations.
- Winterbourne is already congested with vehicles at either end of the feeder roads to the proposed site.
- Hicks Common is beloved by residents and visitors alike, and a stroll beside the fields, enjoying the panoramic view, is excellent for mental health.
- The area is already prone to flooding.
Chair of the Planning Committee, Jon Amos, did an excellent job managing the huge number of attendees, with a calm but resolute approach throughout the meeting.
Winterbourne Parish Council were extremely supportive of the residents’ views across all parties and were able to add useful guidance and reference points for attendees.
For 537 villagers to turn up on a cold, dark, wet Monday evening shows the strength of feeling against building on our precious Green Belt. It needs to stay there, unspoiled across the seasons for us all now and for the benefit of future generations.
Save Hicks Common joins a growing number of individuals and Groups across the country fighting this swathe of recent speculative planning applications which will destroy our Green Belt forever.
No Bricks on Hicks!
If you would like to help strengthen the Save Hicks Common movement:
- Share this news article on your own social media
- Follow our updates here on Save Hicks Common or by joining our Facebook and Instagram pages which you can find by searching “save hicks common” or by clicking on the links at the bottom
- Write to your MP Claire Hazelgrove to share your concerns as well as Winterbourne Ward Councillors
Read more news
- Filton & Bradley Stoke MP, Claire Hazelgrove voices her concerns on the proposal
- Winterbourne Parish Council Planning Notes 15.12.2025
- Winterbourne Residents Descend on Council Planning Meeting to Oppose Proposal to Build on Hicks Common
- Save Hicks Common Campaign Featured in Local News — Including Bristol Live
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