The site lies within the Bristol and Bath Green Belt. A review of this designation to release sites for housing has previously been initiated but never completed due to continual delays in plan making in the region.
While some of the purposes of the Green belt apply to all land that falls within it (i.e. preventing encroachment into the countryside, assisting in regenerating brownfield land) the site does not contribute to the other more specific purposes as it does not prevent Bristol merging with any town or other settlement to the north and does not play a role in protecting the historic character of towns.
The site is visually contained as it is surrounded by existing woodland and large-scale landscaped earthworks which were delivered as part of the golf course. Therefore, the development's impact on views from the wider area is extremely limited.
The golf course itself, while attractive in parts, is not representative of the landscape character of the area and large parts of it are sterile, being closecut grass that make up the greens and fairways of the course.
While the visual containment of the site means wider visual impacts are limited the emerging layout seeks to integrate the site into its surroundings by retaining as much of the mature vegetation that exists on the site as possible and adding to this with 'Green Fingers' of planting throughout the development. Any trees or hedgerow lost as part of the development will be replaced on x2 basis.
Formal and informal play space, trim trails, exercise areas, much needed playing pitches, allotments, community orchards, and ecological habitat will also be incorporated into the strategic landscaped areas.
Copyright © 2023 Grass Roots Planning - All Rights Reserved.