Large parts of Somerset’s countryside previously protected by Bristol’s green belt are now facing significant development pressure, with plans to build thousands of new homes. Two new towns could appear near Bristol, while several villages are expected to grow substantially, with one projected to triple in size. Councillors have expressed alarm that the green belt is being “shredded” due to government housing targets, planning reforms, and local challenges.
Green belts, first introduced in the 1930s around London to control urban sprawl, restrict development around cities. Avon’s green belt, established in the 1950s around Bath and Bristol, covers extensive areas within Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) and about a third of North Somerset. Now, local authorities are preparing new plans that propose to allocate many current green belt areas for housing developments over the next 15 to 18 years.
The Labour government elected in 2024 altered the methodology for calculating council housing targets, placing greater emphasis on housing affordability. This led to a reduction in Bristol’s target but increased targets for North Somerset and B&NES, with B&NES’s target effectively doubling. Faced with these mandatory targets, councils argue there is limited alternative but to release green belt land.
READ MORE: Bath Rugby secure thrilling 40-34 victory over Exeter Chiefs at the Recreation Ground
Bath’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site restricts urban expansion, compelling B&NES to propose around 5,900 new homes within the city, largely on brownfield sites along the River Avon. However, with a total target of 27,340 new homes, the council intends to build the majority beyond Bath’s limits in North East Somerset.
The “Bristol and Bath corridor” remains the preferred location for new homes due to proximity to jobs and transport. The local plan suggests expanding Keynsham and Saltford, tripling the size of Whitchurch village, and establishing a new town near the Hicks Gate roundabout. These proposals have sparked significant opposition from councillors outside Bath, yet the council maintains that without a local plan, it lacks control over development.
Matt McCabe, B&NES cabinet member for planning, stated: “This Labour government has unleashed a tidal wave of development that we are powerless to stop.”
In neighbouring North Somerset, concerns over flooding risks compound development challenges. The council emphasises protecting low-lying land vulnerable to sea flooding and cites government-imposed housing targets as the main reason for looking towards green belt sites.
Annemieke Waite, North Somerset’s cabinet member for planning, remarked: “From the outset, we wanted to protect our green belt, but new government legislation expects councils unable to meet housing targets through other means to use green belt land. I regret that we are in this position.”
North Somerset’s local plan proposes a new town on land currently part of the green belt at Woodspring golf course, with a planning application already submitted by developer Taylor Wimpey. Other green belt areas around towns and villages have also been earmarked for housing.
Complicating matters, the concept of a “grey belt” has emerged, permitting some development in less valued green belt land. Introduced by the Labour government to encourage development on low-quality sites like former car parks within the green belt, the grey belt idea has since been applied more broadly.
For example, a 28-hectare solar farm near Burnett village was approved on appeal after B&NES had initially refused permission. Inspectors classified the agricultural land as grey belt, reasoning its distance from Keynsham meant it was unnecessary to prevent urban sprawl.
Duncan Hounsell, a B&NES planning committee member, warned that this precedent could extend grey belt status to many other fields near villages.
Matt McCabe also cautioned that government changes “have shredded the green belt rules, removing protection for our villages,” leading to widespread concerns that much green belt land is effectively now grey belt.
North Somerset has submitted its local plan to the government for approval, while B&NES’s plan is undergoing a public consultation until October 30.