Residents near Peopleton Brook Farm in South Gloucestershire have raised alarms about the safety risks on Mill Lane, a narrow country road leading to the animal care college. This lane’s limited width and lack of passing points have reportedly sparked road rage and multiple vehicle collisions. The farm offers crucial education to teenagers with special needs, providing them with qualifications in animal care and essential life skills, but now faces challenges due to ongoing planning disputes.
Located just south of Chipping Sodbury, Peopleton Brook Farm is applying to South Gloucestershire Council for permission to operate as a “care farm.” Currently, it holds only agricultural activity rights, making this application retrospective. The local community has heavily objected, citing that Mill Lane cannot safely sustain the increased traffic from students commuting daily.
A resident shared their frustrations, highlighting the dangers: “I regularly walk, drive, ride, and cycle along Mill Lane and almost always encounter minibuses, taxis, or visitors’ cars during the weekdays. This has caused frequent congestion and near misses. The lane is simply unsuitable for a care farm.”
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The condition of the lane adds to the concerns. One local reported deep potholes, uneven surfaces, and a lack of formal passing places aside from residents’ driveways. This has even resulted in vehicle damage, including the need for suspension repairs. Congestion often leads to stand-offs where drivers refuse or are unable to reverse, sometimes resorting to driving on private property. There have been crashes, including one involving the applicant’s daughter, where airbags deployed.
On the other hand, several parents emphasize the positive impact the farm has had on their children with special educational needs. They point out that few residents live on Mill Lane and value the serene, rural environment that enables many students to flourish.
One parent praised the farm: “My daughter, who has severe learning disabilities, has been attending since its early pony days. Her communication and well-being have greatly improved. The farm offers important opportunities for young adults who cannot access mainstream education, giving them purpose and enriching their daily lives. It would be a loss if a few concerns were allowed to overshadow this benefit.”
The college estimates that up to 50 children and young adults visit regularly, with no more than 25 present on any given day. In addition to students, the farm is home to ponies, horses, alpacas, goats, sheep, and pigs.
Local schools back the farm’s expansion, citing the limited educational options for students with special needs in the area.
Nevertheless, some opposition remains. A resident expressed how the increased traffic has affected her horse’s recovery after surgery, forcing her to relocate the animal to ensure proper rehabilitation—a costly and stressful move compounded by traffic pressures.
As the development management committee prepares to review the application on June 12, the community remains divided between concerns over road safety and the essential role the farm plays in supporting vulnerable youth.