Residents of Whitchurch Village, a Somerset community on the outskirts of Bristol, are set to gather this evening (Tuesday, October 21) for a public meeting to voice concerns about new housing plans that could effectively merge their village with the expanding city.
Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council recently released a draft of its long-term Local Plan, which proposes the construction of up to 5,000 new homes around Whitchurch Village along the A37 corridor from South Bristol. These plans involve extensive development on green belt land—areas designated to restrict urban sprawl to protect the countryside.
The draft plan highlights that recent national policies allow development on ‘low quality’ green belt land, also referred to as ‘grey belt’. Across the Bristol to Bath corridor, including locations such as Hicks Gate, Keynsham, and Saltford, the council’s proposals could result in the addition of 12,630 new homes over the next ten years, with the largest concentration near Keynsham and Whitchurch.
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Whitchurch residents have actively opposed large-scale development near their village, including plans for a ring road linking the A4 to South Bristol, which had been delayed due to community protests. Tonight’s meeting, organized in part by local councillor Paul May, aims to revive opposition efforts.
The draft Local Plan assesses four potential major development sites near Whitchurch, rating them based on environmental and community impact risks. Fields between Whitchurch Village, Whitchurch to the northwest, and Stockwood to the northeast are rated as ‘lowest risk,’ whereas lands to the south present greater concerns.
Despite this, planners argue that developing up to 2,000 new homes on the southeastern green belt land could bring significant public benefits, potentially outweighing the environmental costs. The document recognizes the importance of the green belt in maintaining separation between Bristol, Whitchurch, and neighboring settlements, emphasizing that any land release must be justified by “exceptional circumstances.”
Local opposition groups, including the Whitchurch Village Action Group and South Bristol Wrong Road, alongside the parish council, have condemned the proposals. Their joint statement insists Whitchurch is a village—not an extension of Bristol—and the new developments would transform it into a town of up to 18,000 residents without requisite infrastructure or services.
They highlight that the proposed sites are critical green belt land, meeting key criteria for protection. Development threatens the village’s character, heritage assets, and the historic landscape surrounding the area, including proximity to the Queen Charlton conservation area.
With concern mounting, residents are mobilizing once again to challenge the draft Local Plan that could reshape Whitchurch’s future. The public meeting tonight at The Royal Legion at 8pm promises to be a crucial step in voicing community resistance to these transformative housing proposals.