News / western slopes
Council scales down housing plans for wildlife corridor
Bristol City Council has announced that it is scaling down its housing plans for a wildlife corridor in south Bristol.
Part of the Western Slopes, a vast green space in Knowle West, had been earmarked for around 360 new homes by the council’s house-building arm, Goram Homes.
But the council now says that it is only looking at building around 70 homes on a brownfield section of the slopes: the old infant school site and part of the existing stables.
is needed now More than ever
It says the reduction in numbers has come following a new ecology report finding the site to have significant ecological value.
The council has dropped its plans to build hundreds of homes over grassland and meadows in south Bristol, between Novers Hill and Hartcliffe Way – photo: Tony Pitt
Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, said: “We need to tackle the housing crisis in Bristol, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of our commitments to confronting the climate and ecological emergencies.
“It’s now clear that Western Slopes is a hugely important wildlife corridor and ecologically significant site.
“We are committed to tackling the ecological emergency head on so it’s only right that we pause the proposals for development of council land on Western Slopes.”
The council says that it is now only planning on building 70 homes on the old Novers Lane Infant School site and existing stables part the slopes – photo: Tony Pitt
He added: “Bristol has limited space, and, if we want to protect green spaces, this means building more densely in brownfield locations, close to sustainable travel, jobs, and public spaces.
“We now need to find other, more suitable sites for these desperately needed new homes, and to make sure we meet the current and future needs of Bristol’s citizens as we do.”
Rees previously said he would “look again” at developing the slopes, after Avon Wildlife Trust said that it “stands with” those calling for the land to be saved.
It is not immediately clear, however, what the council’s announcement means for the privately owned part of the slopes, which is earmarked for 157 new homes by a private developer – photo: Charlie Watts
Ian Barrett, CEO of Avon Wildlife Trust, called the change in direction from the council “fantastic news”.
He commented: “It is more important than ever that we preserve important wildlife corridors and protect areas of ecological significance.
“The Western Slopes play a key role in Bristol’s nature networks and I am delighted that we have found a way to protect them.
“I look forward to working with Goram Homes, Bristol City Council and local residents to see how we can further enhance these habitats and bring more wildlife back to the city.”
It is not immediately clear, however, what the council’s announcement means for the privately owned part of the slopes, which is earmarked for a further 157 homes by a private developer.
Charlie Watts is reporting on Knowle West as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
Main photo: Charlie Watts
Read more: Council to build 1,400 homes including hundreds of council houses on park
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
