News / Brislington Meadows
Homes England reveals plans for housing on wildlife haven
Homes England has revealed plans for 260 new homes on Brislington Meadows months after Marvin Rees announced the wildlife haven would not be built on.
The Government’s housing agency has opened a public consultation on its proposals for the site that it bought for £15m.
Under its revised plans, the number of homes proposed for the meadows has been reduced from 300 to 260, 30 per cent of which would be ‘affordable’. Homes England says it wants to create a “20-minute” neighbourhood with schools, shops, work opportunities and public transport within walking distance.
is needed now More than ever
The consultation comes after a major announcement from mayor Marvin Rees just before May’s local elections when he joined the two prospective Labour councillors and local MP Kerry McCarthy to state that Brislington Meadows would not be built on.
Rees has since said that Homes England’s plans are “disappointing” but that he cannot rule on planning applications as mayor, sparking criticism from Labour councillor Tim Rippington who has represented Brislington East since 2019.
The wildlife-rich land was allocated for housing in Bristol City Council’s 2014 local plan and Homes England says it is seeking to deliver those homes.
Announcing the launch of a consultation on the plans, Homes England said: “Over the last 18 months, we’ve been getting a better understanding of the constraints, challenges and opportunities here; listening to comments and feedback and working on a masterplan which we are now ready to share.”
The agency said feedback to date has helped identify key themes and priorities, which include the importance of nature and open space, the need to invest in public transport and safe active travel and investing in the wider local area.
Homes England are holding consultations on their plans for Brislington Meadows – map: Google / Homes England
Homes England has promised an overall increase of ten per cent biodiversity on and off-site, as well as the creation of new play areas and pedestrian and cycle routes.
An archaeological team has already been doing excavation work on the site and have so far found evidence of Roman age field systems, enclosure ditches, pottery and some smithing waste.
Homes England promised to provide a full update and analysis once the work is complete.
There is a public exhibition of the plans taking place at St Peter’s Church on Allison Road on Thursday, December 9 from 2pm to 7.30pm. An online webinar will be held at 6pm on Wednesday, December 8. Homes England says a recording of the webinar and display material will be uploaded to its website from December 10. Find more information and register to attend via www.brislingtonmeadows.co.uk/
Main photo courtesy of Marvin Rees
Read more: Video: The future of Brislington Meadows
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