Mactaggart & Mickel’s South West England Strategic Land team has entered into an agreement to promote 183-acres (74-hectares) of land at Backwell and Flax Bourton in North Somerset.

The site includes land which is being proposed for release from the protected Avon Green Belt and earmarked for residential development with the creation of 500 new homes, as detailed in the ‘Preferred Options’ of the draft North Somerset Local Plan 2038.

The site, which is made up of three extensive land parcels, is located just five miles south-west of Bristol, within close proximity to Nailsea and Backwell rail stations and on the strategically-important A370 corridor.

The deal will see Mactaggart & Mickel promote the greenfield site on behalf of the landowners via the emerging Local Plan with an extensive programme of stakeholder engagement and community consultation.

The Local Plan 2038, which was recently out for consultation (closing on 29 April 2022), has identified around 15.6 hectares of the site as part of a wider, draft ‘East of Backwell’ allocation for around 500 homes alongside employment land and other community facilities. Further public consultation is currently expected later this year, before the Plan is considered for adoption likely during the course of next year.

Michael Gooch, Strategic Land Manager at Mactaggart & Mickel, comments: “Bristol and North Somerset face a considerable housing supply challenge, and the site is well placed to provide a mixed-use scheme that can help meet the housing needs of both.

“It is close to existing community facilities and transport links serving Bristol and the surrounding area. There is also considerable scope within the site to provide new public facilities, as well as connectivity enhancements and biodiversity net gain.

“Building upon the success of the proposed allocation, and given the housing shortfall in the emerging Local Plan, we will continue to promote other parts of the site with a view to delivering a new neighbourhood for the area that balances the need for homes and infrastructure with quality community spaces and new landscaping.

“It’s very exciting to be involved with promoting a greenfield site of this scale in a key strategic location. I’d like to thank all colleagues involved with securing the deal.”