Hundreds of new homes planned for waterlogged playing fields in South Bristol could soon help to pay to build a new school building. The playing fields are next to the John Williams high school and New Oak primary school in Hengrove but some of the land will likely be built on.

Bristol City Council and Oasis Community Learning, an academy chain, will work together on finding a developer to build around 360 homes on some of the playing fields, a new primary school building, nursery, teacher training facility and provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities. The playing fields aren’t often used due to poor drainage.

The plan to use the playing fields was approved by councillors on the strategy and resources policy committee on Monday, December 15. But developers still need to get planning permission from a separate committee, when more details of the new homes will be revealed to the public. While the fields are popular with dog walkers, the development includes upgraded open space.

placeholder image — Oasis John Williams | Google/LDRS

Tim Huntley, a housing development manager at the council, said: “The intention at this point in time is for there to be new green space created by the development. One of the issues we’re looking to address is the lack of connectivity across that site. There’s a lot of green space there that isn’t really accessible to members of the local public, certainly outside of school hours.”

New allotments could be created on the site, or funding provided to create new ones elsewhere in Hengrove and Whitchurch Park. 35 per cent of the new homes will be affordable. Of these, three quarters will be for social rent and available to families on the housing waiting list, and one quarter will be for shared ownership. New sports facilities are also included, like a running track.

The fields in Hengrove Picture: Oasis Community Learning | Oasis Community Learning/LDRS

Louise Davidson, the council’s head of housing delivery, added: “One of things that OCL is intending to do is upgrade and increase the level of sports provision for the school, which will then be available to the wider community out of hours. That will include new 3G pitches, a new rugby pitch, a long jump area, running track, changing rooms, and better lighting.”

Oasis Community Learning runs 56 schools around the country. The academy chain signed a deal with the council to develop the playing fields in October 2023, meaning that both organisations need to agree on the future of the site.

In a written statement to the committee, Oasis founder Steve Chalke said: “Much of the land identified for disposal or reprovision currently has limited educational or community value. Despite substantial investment over many years, large areas remain unsuitable for sport due to poor drainage, uneven surfaces and safety concerns.

“They require high levels of maintenance with minimal or no benefit to pupils. These areas are not fit for year-round use and do not deliver value to either the school or the city. Their current condition is not sustainable, either educationally or financially. Through our partnership with BCC, we now have an opportunity to transform this situation.

“The proposal will enable OCL to deliver a brand-new, operationally net-zero building for Oasis Academy New Oak, safeguarding the long-term future of the school and significantly improving the educational environment. It will also improve proximity and alignment between New Oak and John Williams, which will create an all-through experience, more integrated SEND provision, as well as outdoor sports provision that not only replaces what is lost but enhances it.”

The running track could provide a replacement for the nearby Whitchurch Athletics Track. This opened half a century ago but will soon be built on too, as part of the wider Hengrove Park housing development.