200 homes approved Keynsham green belt
Councillors have narrowly approved a developer’s plan to build 200 homes in the green belt, after warning that new government rules gave them no choice.
Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee voted 5-4 on September 2 to allow Persimmon to build 200 homes on a field on the south-west tip of Keynsham. It comes after new government rules restricting councils’ ability to turn down housing developments came into effect. Councillors were reminded of the new rules at the start of the meeting.
Planning committee member Toby Simon (Bathwick, Liberal Democrat) said: “Under the current regime, I don’t think we got good grounds to reject this. I think the very strong steer from the government is that applications that meet the criteria … ought to be approved.” He warned: “I think that this is a difficult one to refuse.”
The houses will be built on a field just west of Charlton Road which lies within the green belt. This was one of several pockets of land which were suggested as areas which the council could allocate for housing in its new “local plan,” after the government doubled Bath and North East Somerset’s housing target in 2024. No decision has yet been made on whether to allocate these sites, but that has not stopped developers from submitting planning applications to build on them already.
Local councillor for Keynsham South, Alan Hale (Independent Group), agreed that Keynsham needed homes but said this needed to be at the new town proposed around Hicks Gate and the proposed northern extension of the town. He said: “Keynsham South has had its fair share of development. I therefore beseech you to refuse the application you have before you.” He warned: “Enough is enough.”
Former chair of the planning committee Duncan Hounsell (Saltford, Liberal Democrat) said he would not be supporting the development over concerns about “urban sprawl.” Tim Warren (Midsomer Norton Redfield, Conservative) added that the land was in the green belt for a reason. He said: “Keynsham is fastly becoming a suburb of Bristol sadly.”
But Fiona Gourley said it was good that the 45% of the homes would be affordable housing, and pointed out that it also included allotments, a play area, and cycle path. She said: “I think we have no option to refuse it, but also it will bring benefits.”
The homes will be a mix of two, three, and four bed properties. They will be “zero-carbon ready,” equipped with air source heat pumps and solar panels, and will feature electric car charging points. The homes only have “outline” planning permission to a follow-up “reserved matters” application will confirm the final details of the design and layout before they can be built.
Persimmon’s Claire Burton said: “This is a very exciting and ambitious scheme that delivers several times over for the local community, through a substantial of proportion of properties reserved for tackling housing need in the town, extensive green infrastructure, and multiple amenities, all in addition to further financial contributions from Persimmon for local services.
“We look forward to progressing our plans to the next stage and will continue to work closely with BANES Council, the local community, and its representatives as we develop our reserved matters application and aim to leave a positive and lasting legacy in Keynsham.”