Backwell, a charming village in North Somerset, is grappling with unprecedented residential development that locals describe as “absolutely bananas.” With around 2,000 existing homes, the village now faces planning permission for roughly 800 additional houses, marking one of the most significant expansions outside the area’s main towns.
Residents express profound concern over this scale of development. Wendy, a local mother of two, shares her frustration, pointing to a construction site adjacent to a playground and the village scout hut. She recounts how dust control sprays from the site were carried by the wind, drenching her family during a simple park visit. “I can’t believe I got splashed with stuff just walking to the local park,” she said. This playground lies near Backwell’s treasured Strawberries and Cream Tree, celebrated for its rare white and pink blossoms. The tree has become a symbol of local resistance; fencing and heartfelt signs now shield it from the encroaching developers.
Locals worry about safety, especially with increased traffic from construction vehicles on roads near schools. Wendy voices fears about heavy lorries and surging car volumes, which threaten the wellbeing of children and families.
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Initially, Backwell embraced development through one of the country’s earliest neighbourhood plans, approved by 96% in a local referendum. This plan steered moderate growth for over a decade. However, the parcels designated for housing within that plan are now fully developed. Developers have shifted focus to green spaces once safeguarded by the community, including the treasured Farleigh Fields – deemed the village’s “green lung.” Despite resistance dating back to the 1980s, recent appeals have allowed construction on these fields, with ongoing projects for 90, 125, and even 515 homes on various sites, including Grove Farm.
Long-term residents like Jennifer, who has lived in Backwell for over 40 years, do not oppose new housing outright but emphasize the need for diverse options such as small flats and bungalows. This would help young families and older residents downsize, alleviating housing pressures without overwhelming the village infrastructure.
Lorraine Hopkinson, a passionate community voice, stresses the importance of balanced and sustainable development. While the community supports affordable and proportionate housing, the new government targets for North Somerset have intensified the pressure, putting Backwell “on the tipping point of being completely overwhelmed.”
The government mandates North Somerset Council to build approximately 23,500 homes by 2040. However, with the council lacking a current local plan and struggling to meet its housing land supply, it is compelled to approve developments, even amidst strong local opposition. This “tilted balance” favors growth over preservation.
Backwell’s proximity to the first railway station out of Bristol and its location on the green belt make it highly desirable. Developers have long eyed the village, but recent approvals reflect a shift in planning power. At a recent meeting approving the massive Grove Farm development, 1,291 objections were recorded — the highest ever for a plan in Backwell. Despite these, the project moved forward with assurances for a 35% affordable housing quota and local oversight.
North Somerset Council’s forthcoming local plan will map out future housing zones, likely increasing Backwell’s development load further. Areas of prime agricultural land risk being lost to new housing as the council seeks to meet targets, stirring fears over environmental loss and community cohesion.
Even before some plans are officially submitted, developers like Rubix Land are engaging the community on proposals for 400 homes on farmland east of the village. Lorraine notes the collective sentiment: overwhelmed, despondent, and concerned about the village’s trees, wildlife, climate, food security, and quality of life.
Backwell’s residents echo a common plea: new housing is necessary, but must be balanced, sustainable, and thoughtfully integrated—not at the expense of the village’s identity and environment.