Plans for an extension of Bristol into the green belt have started fierce debate among Bristol Live readers
(Image: David Goddard, Getty Images)
Bristol Live readers have been engaging in lively debate over the news that thousands of homes could soon be constructed in the green belt as part of Bristol’s expansion, a plan which has received the backing of North Somerset Council’s cabinet.
Senior councillors on North Somerset Council have maintained their desire to “we wanted to protect our green belt”, but argue that government reforms have left them with no alternative but to earmark it for development. Last year, the newly elected Labour government increased North Somerset’s housebuilding target from 15.2k by 2040 to 23.5k, in line with its nationwide housebuilding aspirations – leaving the council with the task of finding space for over 8,000 additional homes.
On June 18, the council cabinet gave the green light to allocate a variety of new sites for development in its fresh local plan – the key document outlining local planning policies for the forthcoming 15 years – to help meet the new target. Portishead, Pill, and Nailsea and Backwell are all set to receive new housing developments under the plans, but the largest proposed new site – accommodating approximately 4,000 homes – would extend Bristol into the green belt.
North Somerset Council refers to the proposed site as “South West Bristol,” although the area would remain within North Somerset and not become part of Bristol City Council. The plan involves building homes on and around the former Woodspring Golf Course, effectively extending Bishopsworth to just across the valley from Long Ashton.
One reader, Bosco believes: “The green belts are an absurd idea to begin with. Like you can decide when a city can stop growing because you like to have farms around you.”
65AJ replies: “Hardly an absurd idea – we need farms for a lot of our food, a necessity not a like to have.”
Cindybeale says: “It is about time Nailsea, Backwell and Long Ashton took their fair share of new houses. Similar sized villages like Yatton, Churchill, Sandford, Banwell have been absolutely battered by new developments in the last 10 years. Why do residents of Backwell and LA think they are immune/special?”
OldBristolian writes: “I live in Backwell and I support new housing there. You tell me why there hasn’t been any meaningful developments. Nailsea has has a lot of new housing in the most unconnected site you can imagine. Backwell is on the A370. Its got everything going for it. Failand is another spot. Its well connected to roads. Infrastructure is what’s needed. New roads. But we don’t seem to be capable of doing that. The Green Belt is usually the most obvious place for new housing. It was used as a sop when previous developments were approved.”
Thecookedsock says: “Great to see homes being built in a housing crisis. We tried not building homes in a housing crisis under the previous incompetent Tory Government, it didn’t work.”
While over on our Facebook page, Lorraine Hopkinson-Parker comments: “Backwell has just under 2,000 houses at the moment with a further 800 approved with planning that’s a 40% increase already! The additional sites identified equates to approximately 118% increase if approved. This includes GRADE 1 Greenbelt land currently used for food, crops and grazing. This is our best quality and most versatile land. Absolutely appalling. People didn’t vote for building all over the Greenbelt and especially not land that is Grade 1 and currently used for food, crops and grazing, Keir Starmer talked about identifying ‘grey belt’ and a disused garage forecourt!
“Sadik Al-Hassan (our MP) said he wasn’t in favour of building on the Greenbelt at the Hustings in Nailsea. Where is the protection of our ‘most versatile and best quality land’ as promised by Government and the protections on wildlife, biodiversity and FOOD SECURITY. All set out by the government as well as the ambition to build 1.5 million houses. We have only 7% yes that’s SEVEN% of Grade 1 land left in the whole of North Somerset and not only is it grade 1 but it’s Greenbelt and not only that it’s currently used for food, crops and grazing and it’s been put forward by a ‘consortium’ who have offered to ‘chip in’ for a road to tick the infrastructure box. This is not about housing need it’s about GREED. Absolutely appalling.”
Do you believe that we should be building new homes on green belt land? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.