Delay to Meadows Homes Creates Planning Paradox in South Bristol
A delay in building homes at Brislington Meadows raises questions about planning decisions
Brislington, Bristol, Homes England, Planning, Housing
South Bristol: There’s a bit of a mess brewing over at Brislington Meadows. The Government’s housebuilding agency, Homes England, is still pushing to build 260 new homes on this green field site. But here’s the kicker: the local council just decided to take it out of the development zone.
They were supposed to submit a detailed planning application by the end of last year, but now they’re saying it’ll happen by summer 2025. This delay could lead to a strange situation where the council might have to approve homes on land they just said shouldn’t be built on.
The council’s new draft Local Plan has marked this nine-hectare site as green space that needs protection. They’re moving forward with public hearings soon, and if everything goes as planned, Brislington Meadows will officially be off the list for new homes.
Interestingly, this area was once considered for housing back in 2014, but now it’s seen as a vital wildlife habitat. The Avon Wildlife Trust and even the former mayor have pointed out how important this green space is for the local ecosystem.
Homes England has already got outline planning permission, which means they can build there, but they still need to get the details approved. They’re hoping to start digging foundations early next year.
Local residents are not too happy about this. They’ve been protesting against the plans, and some are even trying to get the footpaths in the area officially recognized. Last month, members of the Save Brislington Meadows group reminded the council that the fight isn’t over yet.
It’s been a long saga for Brislington Meadows. Back in 2014, it was added to the Local Plan, and since then, it’s been a hot topic in local elections. The former mayor had a change of heart in 2021, deciding that the meadows were too important for nature to build on.
But Homes England isn’t backing down. They’re still pushing for those 260 homes, even after the council’s recent decisions. The local MP has been vocal about her opposition, but with the current Labour Government, it seems like Homes England has the green light to proceed.
In the end, it’s a classic case of balancing housing needs with environmental concerns. The community is rallying to protect their green space, while the government is keen on addressing the housing shortage. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.