Failand, a unique triangular village in North Somerset, may soon see its iconic shape transformed by a large housing development. Currently home to around 350 residences arranged neatly within the triangle formed by Clevedon Road, Weston Road, and Flax Bourton Road, Failand faces a significant expansion with a proposal for up to 200 additional homes on adjacent land.
Hill Residential, the developer behind the plan, has submitted an application to North Somerset Council to build on a field west of Flax Bourton Road. In their proposal, they describe the project as an opportunity to “create a connected and inclusive community at Failand’s edge,” emphasizing plans for “active travel” options and housing that respects local context.
The development would feature a mix of low-density housing—including terraces, detached, and semi-detached two-storey homes—with street trees lining all roads and designs rooted in traditional architectural forms. Despite these efforts, the proposal would extend residential areas beyond the long-standing green belt boundaries that have preserved Failand’s distinctive triangular layout.
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Historically, the “Failand Triangle” originated from the Sixty Acre Plantation, with edges developed post-World War II and infill occurring from the 1970s onward. The green belt has so far restricted expansion beyond this triangle, maintaining the village’s rural charm.
North Somerset aims to build nearly 24,000 new homes over the next 15 years, which involves reclassifying some green belt areas. However, this site remains officially within the green belt. The developers argue the site qualifies as “grey belt,” a category introduced in earlier planning reforms that allows building on lower-quality green belt land.
The plans have been met with resistance from local residents. One objector called the “grey belt” designation misleading, expressing concerns that large-scale development would disrupt Failand’s peaceful, community-centered character. “Once lost, the village’s charm and identity cannot be recovered,” they warned.
Concerns have also been raised about local wildlife, with one resident highlighting the area’s importance to deer, badgers, bats, foxes, and numerous insects relying on the existing trees, flowers, and hedgerows for survival. In total, nine formal objections have been submitted.
The development proposal presents a pivotal moment for Failand, as the village confronts questions about growth, preservation, and the future of its distinctive landscape.