An exciting new community coming to land west of Rodney Rd, Backwell
Our proposals include a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties. To support the council’s ambition for more affordable housing, 30% of the homes will be affordable homes including shared ownership and affordable rent. This will provide an excellent choice for all buyers, from working professionals and young couples to growing families or downsizers.
Our plans for the site will deliver a high-quality scheme and will provide much-needed new homes in Backwell.
Outline planning permission has been agreed following a planning committee meeting in November 2022. The outline application is subject to approval of the S106 Agreement with North Somerset Council.
Development Map
Location of the proposed development
Proposed site plan
Proposed street scenes
2025 Future Homes Standard
Connectivity
About our proposals features
Through public consultation there was positive engagement from local people and councillors, which was very helpful in shaping our plans. The main issues ranged from the impact of traffic, housing design to the effects of construction. These issues are addressed in the submitted proposals.
Since we last engaged on the proposals, North Somerset Council has proposed to allocate the site for new homes in its New Local Plan 2038. We are committed to working with the council to bring forward this site as quickly as possible when the S.106 is agreed.
Key elements of the proposed development are as follows:
• The scheme has been designed to work within the constraints and opportunities of the site to create a sustainable development
• Up to 65 new high-quality homes
• A mix of property types and sizes, including apartments and detached houses
• Provision of affordable housing (30%) including shared ownership and affordable rent
• Retention and improvements to the existing Public Right of Ways to encourage and facilitate walking and cycling for local journeys
• Car parking will be provided for residents and visitors, in line with Local Authority policy requirements and standards
• Drainage strategy includes a proposed attenuation pond within the south-west corner of the development
• A new children’s play area to be provided within an area of green open space
• Retention of existing trees and vegetation wherever possible
• Additional planting to filter views of the development and respect the countryside setting
• Maximum building height of 2.5 storeys
• Retaining view to St. Bridget’s Church to the south-west
• Traffic calming features including priority pedestrian crossings and street narrowing
The Character proposals of this quaint development offer a simple and quality aesthetic using traditional materials as seen in the local area, this with the more contemporary window designs presenting today’s living style.
• Grey Recon Stone
• Light coloured rough cast render
• Large grey aperture windows
• Grey windows, doors, facias and canopy features and window boxing
• Grey and red roof tiles
The site lies on the Western outskirts of the village and is immediately to the North West of the villages community recreation ground. To the immediate North of the site is West Leigh Infant School.
Following the resolution to grant received at committee, we have entered into pre-application discussions with the Local Authority in preparation for our Reserved Matters planning submission this Spring. We want to ensure we are continuing to engage with the Local Authority throughout the planning process.
Community engagement is a key focus on this development. We will be holding a Public consultation on the 8th of March 2023 to share our proposals following the pre-app and let the residents of Backwell have their say.
While the details on Future Homes Standard will be subject to future consultation in 2023, we are aiming for our proposed homes on this development to meet 2025 Future Homes Standard requirements.
What access is proposed?
- Proposed vehicle access from Rodney Road which includes a 2m wide footpath/cycleway connecting to existing PRoW which runs east to west from proposed access through to adjacent field
- Existing PRoW offsite to the north on adjacent field connecting to infant school to be upgraded to 3m wide footpath/cycleway
- Retaining PRoW through centre of site from north to south
- Proposing two connectivity links into adjacent Backwell Playing Fields to the south-east
Other provisions:
- Parking provision which meets North Somerset Council’s policy requirements including visitor parking
- Car club provision
- Travel plan to encourage sustainable methods of transport for residents
- Significant S106 Agreement contributions to improve local sustainable transport
What will we be providing?
- 3m dark wildlife corridor to be provided on site
- Off-site mitigation to address shortfall of bat habitat for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
- Wet attenuation pond designed to create wildlife habitats
- 50% of dwellings to have integrated bird boxes and will also be located on trees within the eastern and southern hedgerows
- Integrated bat boxes on the gable ends of properties that are facing south or south-west
As part of Taylor Wimpey’s environmental strategy, other ecology features which we are exploring include:
- Potential beekeeping hive where there is an appropriate location dependant on local community interest
- Hedgehog highways within garden fences
- Bug hotel within public open space Community Community
We believe our proposals will carry wider benefits to the community beyond the provision of new homes. These benefits will include a number of financial contributions that will be made towards the local community as part of our proposed development, in agreement with the relevant local authorities.
These will be in the form of a Section 106 Agreement and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Examples of S106 contributions include:
• Car Club Provision
• Improvements to Meadow Close bus stop
• Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and costs for Parking Restrictions
• Sustainable Travel Vouchers
• Fire Hydrants
• Green Infrastructure
Further details of these contributions will be released once finalised with the council.
Early Feb 2023 – Meeting held with local councillors to present proposals
8th March 2023 – Public consultation event for local community
End of March 2023 - Submission of Reserved Matters Planning Application
TBC 2023 – North Somerset Council Planning Committee Meeting
TBC 2023 – Planning Permission Granted by North Somerset Council
TBC 2023 – Anticipated Site Start for Section 278 Works
Outline planning details can be found on North Somerset Council’s website under planning reference 20/P/1847/OUT.
Reserved Matters planning details will be available from the Council website once the application has been submitted and validated. Feedback can still be left on this webpage by clicking the ‘Have your say’ button, or directly by email to: [email protected]


