Residents of Backwell, a rural village in North Somerset, are mounting fierce opposition to plans that would see 1,600 new homes built, effectively doubling the village’s size and threatening its countryside charm. While outline planning permission has already been granted for 800 new homes, a further 800 are proposed in the local plan, sparking community outrage.
Backwell currently has about 2,000 homes and a range of local facilities—including a GP surgery, train station, cafes, takeaways, and a dentist. However, villagers argue that the village’s infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle such a massive increase in population. Signs reading “Save Our Fields,” “Save Our Village,” and “No Entry to Profiteers” have appeared throughout the village as residents raise their voices against the development.
Julie Lewton, a garage owner, fears the village lifestyle will be lost: “We are a village, and we are not going to be a village anymore. The roads are narrow and already congested. With every house having two cars, traffic will be a nightmare. Plus, the wildlife will disappear—where will they go?”
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The new housing is planned on farmland at Grove Farm and Farleigh Fields, areas cherished by locals for daily walks and community activities. Lorraine Hopkinson Parker, a village administrator, highlighted concerns including the impact on biodiversity, food security, and social cohesion. She described the development as “unsustainable” and overwhelmingly opposed by the community.
Locals also worry about traffic safety, especially with two schools in the village. Lewton added, “With the extra traffic, parents won’t let their children walk to school alone. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Business owners like Aimee Davies, owner of Aimee’s Wine House, are uncertain about the impact. She said that new residents might prefer online shopping over supporting local shops and expressed concerns about worsening traffic, particularly on the already busy A370 road.
Long-time resident Keith Riches criticized the location choice, noting the lack of local employment and limited train capacity. “Adding 800 homes without improving infrastructure is unsatisfactory and risky,” he said, expressing worries that the council intends to approve even more homes on protected agricultural land.
Other residents echoed fears of overpopulation, lost green spaces, and deteriorating local amenities. One resident emphasized that the current leisure centre is in disrepair and that adding so many homes without infrastructure investment would overwhelm the village.
Critics also raised environmental concerns, noting that planned developments encroach on special conservation areas vital for species like the horseshoe bat.
North Somerset Council defended its position, explaining that the government mandates a significant increase in housing, including 23,700 homes in North Somerset by 2041. The council says it is working with communities to identify suitable locations and is committed to developing a Local Plan that balances growth with sustainability and infrastructure needs. Residents are encouraged to engage in forthcoming consultations via the council’s website.
Backwell’s community remains determined to challenge the development, fearing that their village’s identity and quality of life will be irreversibly damaged.