On Sunday, 9th March 2025, 150 local residents gathered at “The Batch” in Hanham to send a powerful message to the Planning Inspector: our Green Belt land must be preserved. The demonstration, supported by members of Save Our Green Spaces – South Gloucestershire and Steve Smith, Conservative Party Mayoral Candidate for the West of England Combined Authority, showcased the overwhelming community support for protecting this cherished open space from development.
The event took place along the historic public right of way that cuts diagonally across “The Batch,” stretching from Common Road to the ancient woodland of Hencliff Wood, part of the Avon Valley Woodland Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Protesters proudly held up “Say No To Redrow” posters, captured in a striking aerial image that highlighted the scale of local opposition to the proposed housing development.
“The Batch” is under threat from developers Ashfield Land Ltd and Redrow Homes Ltd, who seek to build 140 houses on the site and demolish a family home on Hencliffe Way to create access. Their outline planning application (P23/01330/O) was firmly rejected by South Gloucestershire Council on 16th August 2024. Undeterred, the developers lodged an appeal in December 2024, prompting a five-week window for public submissions to the Planning Inspector. That window closed on Monday, 10th March 2025—just one day after the demonstration.
Geoff Maggs, spokesperson for Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society, hailed the event as a resounding success. “It was fantastic to see the local community coming together to show the Planning Inspector the depth of support for preserving ‘The Batch’ for use by the current and future generations,” he said. “Many people use the area for recreation, enjoying its openness and the access to the ancient woodland of Hencliff Wood and River Avon below. It would be profoundly disappointing if the authorities allowed these former meadows to be concreted over, when other sustainable brownfield sites are available for development locally.”
The Society extended its gratitude to Save Our Green Spaces – South Gloucestershire and Steve Smith for their solidarity. “We would like to thank our friends from Save Our Green Spaces and Steve Smith, Conservative Mayoral Candidate for the West of England Combined Authority, for supporting our demonstration,” Geoff added.
The fight to protect “The Batch” is far from over. Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society remains committed to defending this vital green space and urges residents to stay engaged as the appeal process unfolds. Together, we can ensure that “The Batch” remains a haven of nature and recreation for years to come.
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