Bristol's green belt faces large-scale development under new reforms
Thousands of homes could be built as green belt protections change
Housing targets and government planning reforms are leading to significant changes in Somerset’s historically protected green belt.
Councils in the region are being prompted to address increased housing targets by utilising areas previously shielded from development under green belt regulations.
First introduced around London in the 1930s, green belts are areas surrounding cities where development is heavily restricted to prevent suburban sprawl.
The Avon Green Belt, established around Bath and Bristol in the 1950s, encompasses parts of Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) and North Somerset.
The Labour government’s shift in 2024 to calculate councils’ housing targets based on affordability concerns led to increased targets in B&NES and North Somerset, forcing councils to look to the green belt for potential housing sites.
With Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status limiting vertical and outward expansion, B&NES plans to build 5,900 homes in the city and 27,340 across North East Somerset.
North Somerset's low-lying areas face potential flooding risks, further limiting options for new development and necessitating the use of green belt land.
The concept of the "grey belt," introduced by Labour, allows development in low-quality areas within green belt bounds, leading to speculative development beyond council plans.
The term "grey belt" was utilised in allowing a 28-hectare solar farm development near Burnett that had been previously rejected by B&NES.
B&NES and North Somerset councils are progressing with local plans featuring major green belt developments, with North Somerset's plan already submitted for government approval.
Bath and North East Somerset’s public consultation remains open until October 30, inviting public feedback on the proposed local plan changes.