THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 795
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23rd August 2023
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Leading firm gets the go-ahead for major expansion despite concerns A leading South Gloucestershire engineering firm, which
precision machined parts and has been based at the site since
operates 24/7, has won planning permission for a major
1959. Driven by overseas sales success and the lack of space,
expansion, despite many objections from people living
the business opened a second production base next to
close by.
Rzeszow International Airport in Poland 10 years ago. The
At a meeting on Thursday, South Gloucestershire Council’s
purpose-built modern production site in Poland is said to be
development management committee unanimously backed
a stark contrast to the “cramped and dated” Bridgeyate
McBraida’s planning application for a new statement building
facility.
at its Bridgeyate headquarters.
Nearby residents told of the negative impact the development
On balance, it was felt that the harms caused by the
would have on their lives, the noise they already have to put
The plans had the backing of the council’s economic
development are outweighed by the economic benefits as the
up with, their fears over road and pedestrian safety, concerns
development team. There were no objections from the
firm is a major contributor to the success of the region’s
about the loss of ancient common land, and the impact on
council’s commons officer over the loss of land which
aerospace industry.
local ecology.
amounts to 0.1% (just over 64sq m) of Bridgeyate Common.
Siston Parish Council echoed residents’ concerns and South
Environmental health officers were satisfied with the noise
Gloucestershire ward councillor Sam Bromiley said that
report from the applicant. The scheme includes landscaping
while not against the principle of an expansion, he felt the
and ecological enhancements.
proposals go beyond what should be reasonable for a site in
Adam McBraida told the meeting that the company was
this location. He said: “The new design of the building will
proud to be part of the Bristol aerospace industry. He said the
be considerably different to its current form, and vastly
expansion is necessary for the company to stay relevant and
different from anything else in the local community. It is out
resilient in light of international competition, and it nurtures
of character and would dwarf neighbouring properties and
local highly skilled jobs and takes on between four and six
businesses.”
apprentices every year.
The development includes widening an existing exit route to
He highlighted concerns about the impact on the environment
He said McBraida is “very conscious” of its presence in a
the north of the site onto the A4175 Bath Road for HGVs,
and the adverse effect on residents from noise. He also voiced
residential area and had responded positively to allay
which involves the loss of common land. Two houses on Bath
concerns about the proposed exit.
concerns.
Road – numbers 30 and 32 - will also be demolished.
A spokesperson for the residents told the meeting that in 1991
McBraida is a fourth-generation family business supplying
a planning application for a north access had been refused on
How McBraida's new building will look (Credit gcp Chartered Architects)
McBraida at Bridgeyate
the grounds that the junction would be substandard and dangerous. But a council planning officer explained that since then, guidance has changed. The report to the committee said that work will be phased – McBraida’s current access onto Francis Way will be used during phase one but once phase 2 is complete, operational goods vehicles will enter in the same manner but leave by the new exit onto Bath Road. These manoeuvres will require the large vehicles to cross the centre line of Bath Road but it is predicted that a large articulated HGV would only exit the site three times a day which is not considered would
The access will be opened up and widened using common land and the two houses behind the trees will be demolished
adversely impact the flow or safety of traffic.
Also in this week’s issue
Mountain Warehouse set to open in Longwell Green . . . page 2
Keynsham High Street’s latest fall victim speaks out . . . page 3
Praise for A-level students on results day . . . page 6
Redesign plans for delayed Lyde Green schools . . . page 7