Residents near Hengrove are upset about Goram Homes’ plans. They cite overlooking, size, and damaged hedges.
Wells Road residents have argued with Goram Homes for months. The council owns Goram, and police even got involved at one point. Residents feel Goram misled them, though Goram denies this claim.
Work on the homes should start soon, despite there being no solution to the argument. Goram got permission in 2022, and they plan to build 190 homes. The site was once New Fosseway School. People feared the new homes overlooking theirs.
The 2022 plan was basic, but Goram has since filed eleven applications. These confirm details for the homes’ designs and sizes. Goram is building 130 new homes, half of which will be “affordable.” They also plan care facilities, and Anchor will submit a plan later.
For months, residents have asked Goram to reduce home sizes. They want six or seven homes to be two stories and to be far enough away. Residents claim Goram misled them on home sizes, saying they were told homes would be 30 meters away. Now just two homes are shorter, and the homes will be only 21 meters away.
Vistry cut back a hedge while preparing the ground. The hedge acted as a buffer, sending pieces of hedge and metal flying into gardens. Fran cares for three adults with learning difficulties and said the work is already causing issues for them. One person is afraid to go outside.
She feels Goram is not fair, as the development is far from a respite center. Goram is building right up against where she lives, and the tall new homes will overlook gardens, Fran said. Her council team asked planners to change the plan, but nothing changed.
Joe Brown said residents feel badly treated by Goram Homes. He knows the city needs homes but wants a compromise, and he wants the homes farther away. Vistry cut back the hedge, and pieces flew into Mr. Brown’s garden, including a large piece of metal. He was very shocked by this event.
He said he was shocked by the event, as sizeable things flew into his garden. His dog or grandchildren could have been hurt by this. Residents feel badly treated overall, saying Goram broke promises and changed plans. Changes always seemed to benefit Goram, he said.
Goram and residents met several times. Police contacted Mr. Brown after an argument when Goram made a complaint about his behavior. Mr. Brown was amazed and filed a counter allegation against Goram. He wants people to know how Goram treats people and states Goram builds in other places, too.
Andrew Brown is a local councillor and has been involved for over a year. He ensures residents know about developments and speaks for them during planning. He met with residents many times and spoke with Goram to address issues.
Goram Homes says they try to consider residents’ needs, but they must balance this with building viable homes. A speaker said homes will be at least 21m away, and two homes were reduced in height. This occurred after listening to residents.
They say it is important to involve people and worked with Wells Road residents for 18 months. Plans changed due to feedback. Their developer apologized for hedge pieces landing in the gardens and stated steps were taken to ensure this will not happen again.
They had many meetings with residents to listen and give updates. Meetings were calm, and both sides shared views, but an incident after a latest meeting led to a police report.