Uncategorized Archives - Backwell Parish Council

North Somerset Council gives consent for a temporary carpark near Rodney Road.

Backwell Parish Council raised concerns regarding North Somerset Council’s decision to grant Taylor Wimpey consent for a temporary 26-space car park on agricultural land adjacent to the development site on Rodney Road. Plans for the proposed arrangement are shown below. Following these concerns, Backwell Parish Council sought clarification from North Somerset Council. The response received from NSC sets out the planning considerations and legal position that informed their decision. This scheme has been licensed under a ‘peppercorn’ agreement to facilitate the installation of a new hard surfaced footpath from the new development by the scout hut to West Leigh. Backwell Parish Council understands that the motivation in developing this scheme were well intended but without communication with the village no suitable alternative measures were explored and the scheme leaves the pedestrian access to Meadowside PreSchool and West Leigh Infants and its users more vulnerable due to the additional traffic movements [...]

North Somerset Council gives consent for a temporary carpark near Rodney Road.public@backwell-pc.gov.uk2026-08-06T13:08:00+00:00

Help us improve the understanding of flood risk in Backwell

Collectively with North Somerset Council, we are carrying out hydraulic modelling to understand how water moves through Backwell during heavy rainfall and flood events. Computer models are useful, but they do not tell the whole story on their own. The first set of postal questionnaires have been sent to residents of Church Town, other areas will follow in the near future. Your local knowledge is extremely valuable. We are asking residents to tell us where they have seen water flow, pond, overtop, back up, or enter property (home and/or garden), and where drains, gullies, ditches, culverts or low spots have caused problems. This information will help us check whether the model reflects what has happened in reality and improve our understanding of local flood routes. How you can help Please complete this form when you receive it in the post even if you have not experienced flooding yourself. Knowing where [...]

Help us improve the understanding of flood risk in Backwellpublic@backwell-pc.gov.uk2026-07-31T13:19:25+00:00

Backwell Parish Council Budget and Precept 2026–27

Explanation for Residents Backwell Parish Council (BPC) has approved its Budget and Precept – the portion of Council Tax that funds parish-level services and facilities – for the 2026–27 financial year. For 2026–27, BPC has set a total budgeted expenditure of £329,968. After allowing for other forecast income and a planned use of reserves, the Precept request is £269,266.86. This represents an increase compared with last year. BPC recognises that this will be of concern to residents, but believes the increase is necessary and unavoidable due to the following factors: Rising costs across nearly all areas, including staffing, contracts, utilities, insurance and maintenance A significant increase in planning workload and associated professional costs, arising from major housing developments in and around Backwell and with further development pressures linked to the North Somerset Council Local Plan; while much of this work is carried out by unpaid parish councillors to limit costs, [...]

Backwell Parish Council Budget and Precept 2026–27public@backwell-pc.gov.uk2026-01-16T14:59:03+00:00

Reminder: NSC Local Plan 2041 Support Sessions Start This Week!

A quick reminder that our first drop-in session to help residents access the NSC Local Plan consultation or submit comments is this Wednesday at Backwell Parish Hall – Committee Room. Drop-in Dates & Times: Wednesday 26th November: 12:00pm – 2:00pm Monday 1st December: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Wednesday 3rd December: 6:30pm – 8:00pm Thursday 4th December: 5:00pm – 7:00pm If you need help understanding the consultation or sharing your views, feel free to pop in — no appointment needed. Deadline for responses: Friday 12th December, 5:00pm Let’s make sure everyone in our community has the chance to be heard!

Reminder: NSC Local Plan 2041 Support Sessions Start This Week!public@backwell-pc.gov.uk2025-11-24T09:52:57+00:00

Need help responding to the NSC Local Plan 2041?

There will be in-person drop-in sessions available for anyone who needs support with accessing the consultation or submitting comments. Location: Backwell Parish Hall – Committee Room Drop-in Dates & Times: Wednesday 26th November: 12:00pm – 2:00pm Monday 1st December: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Wednesday 3rd December: 6:30pm – 8:00pm Thursday 4th December: 5:00pm – 7:00pm Whether you need help accessing the consultation or want guidance on submitting comments, come along and get support. Deadline for responses: Friday 12th December, 5.00pm Let’s make sure our community’s views are heard!

Need help responding to the NSC Local Plan 2041?public@backwell-pc.gov.uk2025-11-21T12:08:22+00:00

🚨 HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SAY?? 🚨

LAST CHANCE TO SAVE OUR GRADE 1 GREEN BELT! 🏡 Backwell Parish Council (BPC), Backwell Residents Association (BRA), and Backwell Resistance have produced a leaflet that will be delivered to your home over the next week! 📄 Preview the leaflet and guide here ⚡ ACT NOW – use our guide to make your voice heard in the Pre Submission 19 LOCAL PLAN 2041 consultation! Together, we can protect Backwell! 💚

🚨 HAVE YOU HAD YOUR SAY?? 🚨public@backwell-pc.gov.uk2025-11-21T12:08:54+00:00

Mac Mic Strategic Land Public Exhibition – Land North of Farleigh Road (East Backwell)

Mac Mic Strategic Land Public Exhibition – Land North of Farleigh Road (East Backwell) Thursday 17th July 2025 11:30am – 8:30pm Backwell Parish Hall Mac Mic Strategic Land is holding a public exhibition to present proposals for around 450 new homes, public open space, new facilities, and infrastructure on land north of Farleigh Road (East Backwell). This site is being considered for development in the latest draft of North Somerset Council’s new Local Plan. Backwell Parish Council has been informed of these intentions by Mac Mic Strategic Land and understands that invitation letters will be sent to residents shortly. We want to be clear: Backwell Parish Council opposes development in East Backwell and is committed to safeguarding the area. BPC has made this position clear to Mac Mic Strategic Land. The exhibition is part of an early-stage pre-proposal consultation – not a formal opportunity to object, but an important chance [...]

Mac Mic Strategic Land Public Exhibition – Land North of Farleigh Road (East Backwell)public@backwell-pc.gov.uk2025-07-02T14:30:14+00:00

Important Update – Rodney Road Development

Backwell Parish Council has been informed that Taylor Wimpey will soon begin early works on the Rodney Road site. Here’s what to expect over the coming weeks: Week commencing 7th July 2025 – Work will begin with grass cutting, followed by the installation of perimeter fencing, delivered over three days using small machinery Week commencing 14th July 2025 – Archaeological investigations will begin, involving larger equipment and temporary welfare facilities Key Information for Residents Large perimeter fencing will be installed around the entire field Two footpaths will be closed: One path to Rushmoor Lane will remain closed throughout the build The path to West Leigh Infants School will be closed until around Christmas, then is expected to reopen Protective fencing will be placed around the Strawberries and Cream tree in the triangle area Construction traffic will be managed to avoid disruption during school drop-off and pick-up times. We will [...]

Important Update – Rodney Road Developmentpublic@backwell-pc.gov.uk2025-07-01T14:09:49+00:00

North Somerset Council Local Plan

This week, North Somerset Council (NSC) announced their proposed additional sites for the next iteration of the draft Local Plan: 🔗 View the announcement and documents here The Government has allocated approximately 24,000 houses to North Somerset, requiring the identification of additional housing sites. NSC has designated Backwell and Nailsea as strategic locations for growth. The lack of an up-to-date NSC Local Plan, combined with a shortfall in the 5-Year Land Supply due to developer land banking, is attracting speculative applications from multiple companies. As a result, Backwell is under unprecedented pressure. 📈 Residents will be aware that 794 homes have already been approved, including: Two Farleigh Fields sites Rodney Road Grove Farm This represents a 40% increase in the village’s population, with no confirmed funding for essential services or infrastructure. If the additional sites at East Backwell are realised, the population increase over the next 10 years could reach 118% [...]

North Somerset Council Local Planpublic@backwell-pc.gov.uk2025-06-13T16:25:05+00:00

Neighbourhood Plan Community Engagement Drop-In Event 19th June 2025

Backwell is Growing. Backwell is Changing. Have Your Say About Our Future! Backwell Parish Council is inviting residents of all ages to a Community Engagement Drop-In Event on Wednesday 19th June, 2.00pm–7.30pm at Backwell Parish Hall. With significant development expected in the coming years, it’s time to update our Neighbourhood Plan – and we need your input. What matters most to you about Backwell’s future? What do you value? What does our village need as it grows? Let’s work together to ensure our village remains a great place to live as it grows. Drop in, share your views, bring the family — everyone’s voice counts! There will also be a survey, both online and paper versions, for anyone who cannot attend. We will share further details about this soon.

Neighbourhood Plan Community Engagement Drop-In Event 19th June 2025public@backwell-pc.gov.uk2025-06-11T16:16:40+00:00