Backwell, a North Somerset village, is facing a surge of development as the government’s planning inspectorate recently granted planning permission for 125 new homes. This decision has sparked concerns among local councillors and residents who worry about the impact on the village’s infrastructure.
The developer, Permission, appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate after the North Somerset Council failed to make a timely decision on their plans. Despite the council’s resolution to prioritize road safety improvements for the village, the planning inspectorate ruled in favor of the developers. However, the inspectorate has imposed strict conditions, including the implementation of a traffic calming scheme to ensure the safety of residents, particularly school children.
Backwell Parish Council voiced disappointment at the decision but emphasized their commitment to closely monitor the situation and advocate for the community’s concerns. This latest development approval follows a 40-year battle to prevent building on Farleigh Fields, Backwell’s “green lung,” and a previous approval for 90 homes on another part of the fields. With the government’s mandate for housing targets, the council also approved a sizable 515-home development on the village’s outskirts, leading to local sentiments of being “under siege.”
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The ongoing challenges around development decisions and the impact on infrastructure highlight the need for a balance between growth and the preservation of community values in villages like Backwell.