The village of Backwell is making a passionate plea to North Somerset Council (NSC) to reconsider plans that would see valuable Grade 1 farmland lost to housing. With about 2,000 homes currently in the village and permission already granted for an additional 800 houses—a level residents describe as “absolutely bananas”—the council’s new local plan now proposes allocating large areas of farmland east of Backwell for nearly 900 more homes.
This proposal is part of NSC’s 15-year housing strategy, which aims to meet government-imposed housing targets by 2041. However, approximately 60 determined Backwell residents protested the plan in harsh weather this past Saturday, carrying loaves of bread to highlight the threat to the village’s agricultural land and food security.
Lorraine Hopkinson, a Backwell resident, emphasized the importance of preserving this ‘precious’ farmland: “We are urging North Somerset Council and the government to ‘use your loaf’ and protect our Grade 1 agricultural greenbelt land at Backwell East, which is crucial for growing food and grazing. Only 7% of this fertile land remains in North Somerset, yet plans call for nearly 1,000 new houses on it, in addition to the 800 already approved.”
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The council has also given planning permission for a significant expansion of 515 homes at Grove Farm to the west, alongside ongoing construction of 90 homes on parts of Farleigh Fields—a long-protected “green lung” of the village—and permission for another 125 homes there. These developments primarily impact Grade 2 agricultural land, which is also in short supply locally.
Ms. Hopkinson further warned: “Following a recent all-party parliamentary report highlighting that the UK is at a tipping point for food security and agricultural land loss, it is alarming that NSC continues to include these valuable lands in the local plan. They should be removed to safeguard our future.”
The local plan outlines policies and priorities guiding development from 2026 to 2041. After the government raised housing targets last year, NSC now plans for nearly 24,500 new homes and about 72 hectares for employment, alongside vital infrastructure investments. Housing growth will primarily focus on Weston-super-Mare and the new village of Wolvershill, with strategic growth areas designated for Nailsea and Backwell, Pill and Easton-in-Gordano, and Woodspring near Bristol.
Annemieke Waite, council cabinet member for planning and environment, acknowledged the challenges: “This local plan will shape North Somerset for generations. We want to provide the affordable homes families need but are concerned about the scale of development being imposed by central government. Residents deserve more than housing—they need schools, roads, and healthcare services. We continue to push for developers and government to deliver the necessary infrastructure alongside new homes.”
Waite added, “This plan aims for a greener, fairer future, balancing housing and jobs with climate action and protecting natural spaces. We understand community concerns and encourage everyone to participate in this consultation to ensure local voices are heard.”
The consultation is open until 5pm on Friday, December 12.