By Abdullahi Lukman
Plans to build 1,800 new homes in Backwell, North Somerset, by 2041 have sparked strong opposition from local residents, who argue that the development will damage vital farmland.
The proposals, part of North Somerset Council’s local plan, include constructing around 1,000 homes on Grade I listed agricultural land, which is crucial for future food security.
Protesters gathered to voice their concerns, with many residents expressing fears that the development would effectively double the size of the village without providing the necessary infrastructure. Loraine Hopkinson, a local resident, described the plan as turning the village into a town.
“We’re a village of under 2,000 houses, so another almost 2,000 houses is doubling the size of the village and really turning it into a town without the infrastructure to go with it,” she said.
The farmland in question is classified as Grade I agricultural land, meaning it has consistently high yields and is vital for food production.
Only 7% of land in North Somerset holds this top agricultural classification.
Hopkinson emphasized its importance in light of global events like the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, which have highlighted the fragility of food production systems.
Bridget Petty, the local councillor for Backwell, echoed these concerns, calling the plan “unsustainable.” “We need land for food,” she said, voicing her opposition to building on the valuable agricultural land.
While acknowledging the concerns, North Somerset Council emphasized the urgent need for new homes.
A spokesperson for the council stated, “We recognise the concerns and strength of feeling both for and against some of the proposals in the local plan.
Protecting greenfield, farming, and heritage land is important to us all. At the same time, there is an urgent need for housing and affordable homes that will enable local families now and in the future to live, work, and thrive in North Somerset.”
The local council has been instructed by the government to build 23,895 new homes by 2041, which equates to an average of 1,593 homes per year. Public consultations on the local plan are open until December 12, 2025.