Plans to build new village on edge of Bristol with 2,500 homes, schools and transport links

Plans have moved a step forward for a new village on Green Belt land on the edge of Bristol. The proposal by Taylor Wimpey is for 2,500 homes, a community centre, at least two primary schools and a secondary school.

The location would be on land south of Long Ashton, off Yarnley Lane, which is currently used by Woodspring Golf and Country Club. It is a site earmarked for development under North Somerset Council’s draft Local Plan, which needs to find space for more than 20,000 homes in its area.

Taylor Wimpey has approached Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council ahead of lodging a formal planning applicaiton. The developer is asking the authorities for the scope of an Environmental Impact Assessment required ahead of the full submission of plans.

The 266-acre site is bounded by the A38 Bridgwater Road on the south side and covers the golf and country club along with Castle Farm and associated agricultural buildings.

The development would include the building of roads and cycleways along with a potential mass transit route linking the village with Bristol city centre. It would be built in phrases not yet defined, the developer says.

Out of the 2,500 homes, 875 of which would be affordable, Taylor Wimpey has said.

Building on Woodspring Golf and Country Club, which currently has 27 holes of championship golf and a 20-bay driving range, was first mooted some 15 years ago. It was put forward for development by Taylor Wimpey in 2018 as part of The Vale, a ‘collection of village communities’ that, together, could have offered 4,500 homes.

Because it is in the Green Belt it was not included in the West of England joint spatial plan that was later scrapped.

The draft Local Plan reflects a change of heart in the council: “Given the scale of the housing requirement and the lack of sustainable locations outside the green belt which conform to the spatial strategy, the preferred options suggest the need to allocate green belt land.”

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: “We are pleased that North Somerset Council has identified Yanley Lane/Woodspring Golf Club in the draft local plan.

“We will be working with the Local Authority to deliver a high quality and carefully designed plan which will include much needed new homes and a wide range of benefits to residents and the surrounding area.

“We look forward to engaging with the local community on how to create a vibrant and sustainable community on the edge of Bristol.”