Whitchurch Village in Somerset recently saw a packed meeting as residents rallied to oppose controversial plans that could transform their village into a large town. Over 100 concerned locals gathered to review detailed maps and listen to their local councillor explain proposals that could dramatically reshape the area’s landscape and community.
Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) planners are advancing a draft Local Plan aligned with the Labour Government’s push to develop Green Belt land under the banner “Build Baby Build.” Whitchurch Village, nestled squarely within the Green Belt, now faces the threat of losing its cherished green spaces.
The draft plan outlines over 12,000 new homes proposed across the Bristol-Bath corridor, including Keynsham, Saltford, Hicks Gate, and the periphery of Whitchurch Village. Specifically, more than 5,000 homes could be built around Whitchurch, effectively merging South Bristol with Keynsham and Whitchurch Village.
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This prospect galvanized residents at the packed Legion Hall, with longtime campaigner Faye Dicker leading the charge. Dicker, who previously helped halt a proposed ring road linking the A4 to residential areas in South Bristol, emphasized the significance of the moment. She highlighted the broad turnout, including people from nearby Bristol communities like Whitchurch and Stockwood, who also fear losing the green countryside bordering their neighborhoods.
“This incredible turnout shows real community spirit,” Dicker said. “Our voices must be heard before irreversible decisions destroy the Green Belt, our homes, and the close-knit village character. If these 4,500 houses go ahead, Whitchurch Village will lose its identity and risk facing infrastructure nightmares like the South Bristol ‘Wrong Road.’ We simply cannot let that happen.”
Local representatives such as Councillors Tim Kent and Graham Morris, alongside community groups including Horseworld and Whitchurch Village Primary School, also attended, showing strong solidarity.
The council’s proposals involve four main development sites. Among them:
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Hicks Gate: A planned “exemplary” development west of the roundabout meant to harmonize with Bristol City Council’s adjoining land. It aims to preserve a green gap between Keynsham and Bristol while improving transport links.
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Avon River Edge: The largest site, proposing housing between the railway and the river, including potential relocation of Avon Valley Country Park, student accommodation, a primary school, and leisure facilities.
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Bath Fringe: A highly sensitive site east of the Globe Roundabout with green land integral to Bath’s World Heritage status, development here is cautioned due to potential harm, though the council is seeking strategic benefits to justify it. This site could also host a new park and ride facility.
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Midsomer Norton Plateau: The sole site outside the A4 corridor, intended to respect the town’s green surroundings by preserving a field buffer. Access improvements would be necessary.
While these represent the council’s core proposals, the full list in the Local Plan options document includes additional sites in Keynsham, Radstock, Saltford, and the Whitchurch area. Existing housing commitments total thousands of homes, but these new proposals significantly escalate planned development.
As residents and local leaders unite, the future of Whitchurch Village and surrounding communities hangs in the balance. The community is calling for careful consideration, emphasizing the need to safeguard green spaces and maintain the village’s unique character against unchecked urban sprawl.