South Gloucestershire Approves 154 Homes Despite Parking Shortfall Concerns

Plans for 154 homes at Mulgrove Farm Village near Bristol have been approved despite concerns over a shortfall of three visitor parking spaces, which some local councillors warn could lead to ongoing parking frustrations and overspill onto pavements. The development, on former agricultural land, will include 57 affordable homes and is part of the larger East of Harry Stoke New Neighbourhood project. While planning and highways officers accepted the proposal, citing good accessibility with bus, walking, cycling links, and proximity to Parkway Station, parish and local councillors urged for more visitor parking or a reduction in housing to prevent future issues. Separately, in Littleborough, plans to replace dilapidated garages with four new family homes have also been approved despite local opposition over worsening parking shortages and concerns about access and loss of play space. Local officials acknowledge parking is already a significant problem in both areas, but planning committees have favored housing development to meet demand while relying on existing transport infrastructure and policies. Both cases highlight the tension between addressing housing needs and managing limited parking and infrastructure resources in growing communities.