There are lingering questions about the impact on wildlife and nature, as habitats would be destroyed
An artist’s impression of Keepmoat Homes’ plan for 260 new homes on Brislington Meadows in South Bristol(Image: Keepmoat)
Developers hoping to build a housing estate on cherished meadows in South Bristol have hit a major setback. Campaigners from Save Brislington Meadows cheered in City Hall as councillors voted against approving details of the plans for 260 homes, due to questions about wildlife.
The long-running saga of Brislington Meadows, located in between Bonville Road, School Road and Victory Park, has faced another twist. The badgers, birds and ancient trees who call the meadows home, as well as local residents who regularly spend time there, are now in limbo.
The “reserved matters” application covered details of the new housing estate, such as the layout and appearance — rather than the principle of building homes on the meadows. Outline permission had already been approved by a government planning inspector. A decision on the latest plans was deferred by councillors on planning committee B on Wednesday, April 1.
Janet Wren, from Save Brislington Meadows, said: “It’s our green lungs against the traffic pollution of the Broomhill Road, the trading estate and the Bath Road. It’s our green space full of amazing ancient trees, shrubs and flowers, and has tonnes of wildlife and birds. It’s our place to support our mental health and the simple pleasures of taking children for a walk in nature.”
She added that Bonville Road, leading to the meadows, was narrow, and that locals would welcome new housing on the derelict site of a former police station and housing office, next to the meadows. Councillors were also told that saving the meadows was not too late, particularly given the council’s new Local Plan no longer earmarks the site for housing.
Ben Leather, from Keepmoat Homes, said: “We have worked hard to listen, not just to defend the proposal, but to improve it. Our purpose has been to work with officers and local residents to shape the best possible neighbourhood that can be delivered on this site, for people who live nearby today and for future generations of Bristolians who need a home.”
He also told councillors that 30 per cent of homes would be affordable, including dozens of homes for social rent. And the development would keep “significant green space” and improve biodiversity, although this was questioned by environmental campaigners and local councillors.
Artists impression images showing what the Brislington Meadows proposed development will look like. Keepmoat Homes plan 260 new homes on the land in South Bristol(Image: Keepmoat)
Labour Councillor Tim Rippington, from Brislington East, said: “Can ancient and beautiful meadows be replaced by identifying surrounding fields of less ecological value, and grazing sheep on them? Can the impact of cutting down trees and hedgerows, and destroying countless wildlife habitats simply be offset without any real planning or by handing it over to the council?”
The question rested on whether there would be a “biodiversity net gain”, a spurious tool used in planning decisions to measure how developers impact wildlife. This rule aims to get developers to improve the natural habitats, either on site or at another location. Last year it was revealed that Bristol has lost some habitats to development, which were replaced by developers in Barnsley.
Details of how Keepmoat Homes would achieve a biodiversity net gain are unclear, and crucially have not yet been worked out. Other concerns include a heightened risk of flooding due to the new houses, and extra congestion on the nearby A4 Bath Road, a major commuter route. Several roads in the estate would be too steep for the council to adopt, with accessibility issues.
The meadows were sold by the council to Homes England, which then unveiled plans for 260 homes in November 2021. An outline planning application was submitted in April 2022, which was approved by the Planning Inspectorate in April 2023. Keepmoat was then appointed as the developer for the reserved matters application a year ago.
The majority of the new homes would be houses, with 69 two-beds, 79 three-beds and 25 four-beds. There would also be 43 one-bed flats and 43 two-bed flats, in four-storey blocks. Two large flood drains would be built next to the housing estate, to avoid overwhelming the sewers.
Green Cllr Guy Poultney said: “The biodiversity net gain assessment along with the full site condition survey and habitat survey needs to come to the committee in the way the inspector outlined in his decision. This committee needs to see that, before any further decision is made. The flooding issue is another one we should look at. Dozens of issues have been raised.”
Voting in favour of deferring the plans were Green Cllrs Al Al-Maghrabi, Mohamed Makawi, Lisa Stone and Guy Poultney; and Labour Cllr Fabian Breckels. Abstaining were Labour Cllrs Don Alexander and Lisa Durston, Liberal Democrat Cllr Sarah Classick and Conservative Cllr Richard Eddy abstained.
Deferring the decision means the plans will come back to the committee in a few weeks. But if councillors vote to refuse permission, that would likely be appealed, with the plans going to the government’s Planning Inspectorate for a final say.