Fringes of Bristol are green for now – but how much longer?

By [rjanisch]

North Somerset's newest town could be called Yanley and be completed by 2026.

The county, which has 201,400 residents, will see its population soar by 30,000 if plans to build a new community on the fringes of Bristol get the green light.

North Somerset Council has appointed consultants Planning Together Associates to work on a blueprint for the proposed town.

A series of workshops, involving representatives from 80 organisations including planning officers, transport chiefs, health trusts and councillors from both North Somerset Council and Bristol City Council, were held earlier this year.

The consultations have led to more detailed proposals being drawn up for the development of an area of green belt land – stretching from the edge of Long Ashton in the north to the reservoir at Barrow Tanks in the south and from the A370 in the west beyond the A38 and across Dundry Hill to Bishopsworth and Highridge – into a new town.

It would not be the first time in living memory that Bristol has expanded into the green areas around it.

Bradley Stoke, with a population of 25,000, was planned in the 1970s and constructed late in the 1980s, while the early 1990s saw Emersons Green spring up in the land between Mangotsfield and Downend.

Both places have suffered from a lack of community cohesion and atmosphere, while transport issues and congestion have also had an impact.

For people living near the area which could become Yanley, fears are already stirring about similar problems.

And the loss of a swathe of countryside just outside the city – something which many Bristolians feels is one of their city's greatest strengths – has provoked similar concerns.

Residents in Dundry are among those who have set up an action group to fight off plans to build thousands of new homes on their doorstep.

Dundry Residents Action Group (DRAG) will hold a public meeting later this month to rally villagers to join forces and protect the green belt.

Members claim the development will ruin their countryside views and replace them with thousands of homes.

DRAG member Debbie Nicholls, 59, who has lived in a bungalow in Bridgwater Road with her husband Geoff for 27 years, said: "My view will be obliterated and the houses will come right up to my boundary.

"This is our heritage and the green belt should be protected for the generations to come.

"We are also angry that we have not been consulted on this at all – it was left up to the residents to discover what was going on.

"The thought that Dundry may not be a village any longer and will just be swallowed up by a massive new town fills me with dread.

"We are hoping the people of Dundry turn out to the meeting in force to fight these plans."

Simon Fiddian has lived in Dundry with his wife Donna for 10 years. Mr Fiddian, a 57-year-old civil servant, said: "I am very unhappy at these plans as they will have a detrimental affect on the area.

"The infrastructure is just not here for this many homes.

"The A38 is already busy enough without adding more traffic from thousands of new homes."

Dundry Parish Council has also raised objections to the proposals and is backing residents in their fight against the development.

The council has objected on the grounds it was not properly consulted on the plan, the number of houses is more than is needed and the area lacks the infrastructure needed for such a large development.

It has also raised concerns about the impact the development will have on the already congested A38 and wildlife, including deer, which lives in the area.

Mr Thomas said: "In the past people have been refused small extensions because Dundry lies within the green belt.

"Now there are plans being put forward to build thousands of homes in the same area.

"The point of green belt is to protect urban sprawl. We have a lovely green swathe of land between North Somerset and Bristol – it is our green lung – and this will be swallowed up forever if this development is allowed to go ahead."

North Somerset Council's deputy leader and executive member for strategic planning and development, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, said: "I share the concerns of local residents.

"There is an ongoing consultation process which will involve local residents and parish councils as the detailed plans are developed."

The first meeting of DRAG will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, August 26 at Dundry Village Hall. Everyone is welcome.