Child Safety Concerns Emerge Over Access to Proposed 125-Home Development

“Serious concerns” regarding children’s safety have been voiced over plans for the construction of more than 100 homes in a field within a Somerset village. A public inquiry is scheduled to make a decision on the 125 homes proposed for Farleigh Fields, Backwell. North Somerset Council has committed to enhancing road safety at the site, but local residents have urged the authority to oppose the plans. At a council meeting held on 18 December, Sarah Ould, chair of Backwell Parish Council, stated that the village held “legitimate concerns” about safety due to anticipated increased traffic along Dark Lane. A spokesperson for the developer, Persimmon, informed the BBC that their plans incorporate “a range of traffic calming measures.” The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported that while there are plans to demolish a house to create an access road to the new development, councillors have expressed worries that this road would be too narrow with limited visibility. The planning committee heard that many children already walk unsupervised along Dark Lane, a road also used by drivers who disregard the 20mph speed limit and by HGVs. Green councillor Bridget Petty, who represents the village on North Somerset Council, urged members of the planning committee to reject the development. Holding aloft a sign that read “hands off our route to school,” adorned with the handprints of Backwell children, she told the committee that the children had gathered before the Christmas fair and “put their hands up to say that they would like us… to care about their safe route to school.” She further added: “I believe we don’t want new developments to be at the expense of local road safety and people’s lives.” Conservative committee member Terry Porter, representing Hutton and Locking, commented: “I do have serious concerns about how safe this is.” The Persimmon spokesperson detailed that the measures included in their plans feature “speed cushions” at 50-meter intervals along the road to maintain the speed limit, which they described as “going beyond standard guidance.” They affirmed, “All safety measures comply with Department for Transport guidance and the planned access road meets stringent visibility standards as determined by the local authority.” The spokesperson added, “These measures have been independently reviewed and approved through a third-party road safety audit, ensuring they meet the highest standards of safety.” The spokesperson also stated, “This development will deliver much-needed homes for local people, addressing vital housing needs in the area. We were grateful for the support of North Somerset councillors and officers this week and will continue to work closely with the local authority to minimise disruption, prioritise public safety, and ensure this project benefits the entire community.” The LDRS understands that the council’s planning committee missed its deadline for deciding the application due to stretched resources and the departure of a planning officer assigned to the case. This led to an appeal from developers Persimmon, meaning the decision will now be made by the government’s planning inspectorate. Instead of making a full decision, the committee was asked to make an “indicative decision” to outline what the council should present at the inquiry. While planning officers recommended that the council accept the plans and present no defense, councillors instead voted to challenge the developers to improve the access road at the inquiry. After more than an hour of debating the plans, the committee voted 11-1 to not object to the homes. However, they resolved to argue for a new condition: that building would not proceed until traffic calming measures, designed to ensure motorists do not exceed the 20mph limit on Dark Lane, had been installed. Green councillor Tom Nicholson, the only committee member to object, stated that it was not their job to “come up with safe access” and characterized the application as “straight up unsafe.” He also noted that 800 objections had been received from local residents, which he said “can’t be sniffed at.” This is the second development planned for Farleigh Fields. Backwell locals have opposed building on the fields for 40 years, but earlier this year, Persimmon finally received approval to construct 90 homes on the fields. The company’s plans for this latest development of 125 homes, referred to as “Farleigh Fields West,” were submitted in June. A six-day public inquiry before the planning inspectorate is scheduled to begin on 11 March.