Natural England and the council's flood team have both objected to up to 400 homes at Tower Farm. Public objections on the register now stand at 610.
Natural England has objected to plans for up to 400 homes at Tower Farm in Portishead. It says the developer has not shown how the homes would avoid harming Weston Big Wood, the ancient woodland next to the site.
Its letter, dated 10 November, went on the council’s planning register on Wednesday. Its summary of advice reads simply: objection, further information required. (Natural England response, 26/P/1618/OUT)
North Somerset Council’s own flood team has also objected. Public objections have nearly trebled since we first reported the plans on 27 October, from 228 to 610. The public consultation deadline on the register was Wednesday 11 November.
What Natural England wants
Weston Big Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and ancient woodland, managed by Avon Wildlife Trust. Natural England says the site’s condition records already list recreational pressure as a problem.
It says the submitted layout “does not currently demonstrate” how extra walkers and dog walkers from 400 homes would be kept from adding to that pressure. Its advice to the council includes:
- its preference that the fields right next to the wood are not built on at all
- if they are, a buffer of at least 100 metres between the homes and the woodland edge, unless site evidence shows less would do
- enough green space and circular walks on the site to cut day-to-day use of the wood
- a green corridor linking Merlin’s Park with Weston Big Wood
- a long-term, costed management plan for the reserve, including more wardening, paths, signs and work on ash dieback
- dark corridors and lighting controls for horseshoe bats, which the developer’s own assessment relies on
Natural England raised no further concerns about birds of the Severn Estuary. It said the information on that point was enough for the council to reach a view.
If the council grants permission against this advice, the law requires it to tell Natural England how it took the advice into account. Work could not start for a further 21 days after that notice.
The flood team’s objection
The council’s Lead Local Flood Authority objected in a memo dated 19 October, published on 4 November. It says the developer has not shown the homes can be built without “unacceptable changes to groundwater conditions” or more flooding on or off the site. (Flood Risk Management Team response)
It is also concerned about the water that feeds Weston Big Wood. The memo says the missing groundwater work cannot be left to a planning condition. The objection stands until that work is submitted and reviewed.
What the other consultees said
The register shows 18 organisations and council teams consulted, and 9 have replied so far.
| Consultee | Position |
|---|---|
| Natural England | Objection, further information required |
| Lead Local Flood Authority (council flood team) | Objection |
| Active Travel England | “Deferral”: not currently able to support, asks for more assessment |
| Council education team | Extra school places and SEND funding needed (below) |
| Council leisure team | Asks for £96 a home towards leisure facilities, £38,400 in all |
Active Travel England said the site has “limited amenities” within an 800-metre walk. It said a contribution to bus services is needed. (Active Travel England response)
What it means for High Down school
The application includes land for possible improvements to High Down Junior and Infant School, next to the site. The council’s education team says the development would need 23 to 28 primary places from 2029, depending on how many homes are affordable. That would take up most of the 44 places it expects to be free at High Down. (Education response)
The school’s numbers are falling with the birth rate. The team’s figures are:
- the schools’ measured capacity is 537 places, 183 infant and 354 junior
- their combined admission number falls to 420 once current cuts finish in 2028
- going back up to 630 would need 93 new places and new classrooms
- the developer should pay for a feasibility study and the building work that follows
- a separate £911,656 is sought for eight places for children with special educational needs, at £113,957 a place
The team also notes that a further 909 homes are proposed for Portishead in the council’s emerging Local Plan.
Who decides, and when
The register now shows 616 public comments: 610 objections and 4 in support. The council consulted 451 neighbours and organisations. (North Somerset Council, application 26/P/1618/OUT)
The application will be decided by councillors, not officers. A councillor and a planning officer agreed on 2 November to send it to the Planning and Regulatory Committee. They cited pressure on local services, affordable housing and the impact on wildlife. (Committee referral decision)
No committee date has been set. The register gives Thursday 31 December as the target date for a decision. The applicant, Parker Strategic Land Ltd, can send in more information to answer the objections before then.
What it means for you
The application is in outline. It asks for permission in principle and for the access points, so no house designs are up for decision yet.
- Read the responses: every consultee letter is on the Documents tab of 26/P/1618/OUT.
- Watch for new documents: if the developer answers the objections, its new reports will appear on the same tab.
- The committee meeting: once a date is set, it will appear on the council’s meetings calendar, with the officers’ report published beforehand.
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