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The Green Party has today called on the Labour Government to rule out developing on Brislington Meadows, saying that ‘nature shouldn’t pay the price for decades of poor housing policy’, and that Labour are clearly ‘unserious about their nature and climate commitments’.
The party has also reiterated its willingness to work with Homes England to find other solutions to tackle the housing crisis in Bristol.
In the previous Local Plan, which guides future development proposals across Bristol, Brislington Meadows was designated for housing, and planning permission was granted in 2019 by the planning inspectorate for Homes England to build 300 homes there.
Homes England, under the direction of the Labour-led Ministry of Housing, have now said they have enlisted a developer for the site, who plan to submit a ‘reserved matters’ planning application.
Bristol City Council is now trying to protect the site in the revised Local Plan by designating it a Site of Nature Conservation Interest.
Cllr James Crawford, who sits on the Environment and Sustainability Committee, said, “Brislington Meadows has been undeveloped for hundreds of years, and is a vital green area and habitat for wildlife. Meadows are often overlooked as habitat and are often considered prime development land, which is why wildflower meadows are now one of the rarest habitats in the UK.”
“We must make space for nature in our city, and that means protecting and enhancing the existing sites we have. We should be investing in nature at this site, not looking to pave it over.”
Plans to protect the site were previously supported by all political parties, including the former Labour Mayor of Bristol Lord Rees, and Labour MP Kerry McCarthy, but the Labour Government are ignoring these local voices and forcing through plans to develop the site.
Cllr Jenny Bartle, Vice- chair of the Economy and Skills Policy Committee, said “Nature and community spaces should not have to pay the price of decades of poor housing policy that continues under this Labour Government.
“The Green Party believes that prioritising brownfield sites and vacant buildings is a better strategy for resolving the housing crisis in a sustainable way.
“If the government was truly serious about resolving the housing crisis, they would look to enable us as a council to develop more social housing through these means, rather than tarmacking over valuable sites for both nature and the local community.”
“Labour sold this land for development, and while they U-turned publicly, the decision to continue to develop on this land shows that they are clearly unserious about its commitments to climate and nature. ”
“We urge the government in the strongest possible terms to listen to their own Minister and other local representatives and abandon their plans to develop this site.”