Leaders from across the West of England have unanimously approved ambitious plans to create a new zero-carbon town between Bristol and Keynsham at Hicks Gate. This visionary project, supported by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) committee on June 5, aims to build approximately 3,000 homes, transforming the area around Brislington Park and Ride and adjacent green fields along the A4 corridor up to Keynsham.
The new town will straddle the borders of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and lie just across the river from South Gloucestershire, embodying a collaborative, cross-boundary approach to regional growth. Helen Godwin, West of England Mayor, alongside council leaders from Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire, emphasized the importance of this coordination in leveraging significant funding and resources.
Kevin Guy, leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council, highlighted the benefits of combined authority governance: “Only by working together can we secure the substantial investment needed for vital transport connectivity.” Central to the plan is relocating the current park and ride to a modern, multi-storey car park and transport interchange near Hicks Gate roundabout, envisioned as a key gateway into Bristol and the new community.
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While the development involves some use of greenfield land, Tony Dyer, leader of Bristol City Council, assured that safeguarding biodiversity, affordable housing, and transport infrastructure remains a priority. He noted that over 80% of Bristol’s development occurs on brownfield sites, making this an exception carefully managed to balance growth with environmental concerns.
The planned town will feature two new primary schools and designated land for a secondary school and sixth form, integrating education within the community. Although private developers will construct the homes, the masterplan provides clear frameworks to guide council planning decisions and will be integrated into the long-term local plans currently under renewal across the three councils.
Mayor Godwin stressed the importance of a unified strategy: “This masterplan enables coordinated access to essential infrastructure—nature reserves, green spaces, services, homes, and transport—that residents need and deserve.”
South Gloucestershire co-leader Ian Boulton echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the necessity of strong governance and strategic vision to ensure Hicks Gate becomes a sustainable, well-connected community benefitting the entire region.
Hicks Gate is among five proposed new towns aimed at addressing housing demands in the Bristol area. Others include developments at Woodspring in North Somerset, Brabazon on the former Filton Airfield, a new town near Bristol Parkway, and the North Lyde Eco-Tech village north of the M4 in South Gloucestershire.