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North Somerset’s Development Strategy focuses on use of council owned land to provide homes and jobs that meet the needs of local communities, offering better quality, more sustainable development, whilst generating funds to support other council services and priorities.
The council report reflects the Executives’ preference to focus energy and resources on existing brownfield sites and others that have local support. A key part of this is the recommendation of a new route for delivery of sites in Weston Town Centre and Castlewood in Clevedon, working with Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NS) and their development company, Aequus.
It is hoped this would offset some economic uncertainty and cost inflation of the past 18 months, giving the council greater control over site delivery, enabling higher levels of affordable housing. The new developments would deliver up to 500 homes, with construction expected to begin in 2025.
The report also proposes deprioritising or removing a number of greenfield sites from the Development Programme, including some which faced opposition during consultation, such as Slade Road in Portishead and land at Churchill Avenue, Clevedon. Future development could still come forward at these sites if, for example, there are local community-led proposals, however, the council itself would not look to bring them forward.
Sites that are identified to continue to progress include further phases of development at Parklands, and options for affordable-led schemes at Oldmixon Recreation Ground, Weston and Hangstone Quarry, Clevedon.
The report also highlights progress on existing sites in the Development Programme, with 425 quality homes at Parklands Village and 52 Passivhaus homes at Uplands both well underway. Between them, these sites will deliver nearly 150 affordable homes, whilst setting high standards of sustainability and design.
Councillor Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Development and Commercial Programme said: “At North Somerset, we understand what our communities need and are already demonstrating the benefit of developing our own land at Parklands Village and The Uplands.
“In progressing more sites through the Development Programme, we can extend these benefits across North Somerset, unlocking high quality and affordable homes whilst also generating funding for other important priorities including schools, transport and leisure.
“The past year has been tricky for the development industry, but in moving forward with B&NES and Aequus we can see a more certain route to delivery for our important brownfield sites in Weston and Clevedon.
“Whilst we know the benefits of development, we also recognise the importance of listening to our communities and the value they place on green spaces. That is why we won’t be progressing most of the greenfield sites that were originally considered for development, instead putting our energy into brownfield sites and those that have greater local support.
“Our first homes should be ready for people to move into later this year and I’m really looking forward to seeing these new communities develop.”
In addition to promoting local growth, sites delivered through the Development Programme create income through capital receipts, Section 106 contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy, which the council can put towards services and further investment in local communities.