North Somerset Council plans to approve 15,000 new houses over the coming years it was revealed yesterday to shocked residents. The council's North Somerset Life magazine reported that 'Planning policy is now being looked at again and estimated housing growth is expected to be lowered to about 15,000 new homes in the next 15 years'.
North Somerset Council plans to approve 15,000 new houses over the coming years it was revealed yesterday to shocked residents. The council's North Somerset Life magazine reported that 'Planning policy is now being looked at again and estimated housing growth is expected to be lowered to about 15,000 new homes in the next 15 years'.

"When the Coalition Government told us that the Regional Spatial Strategy was dead, we breathed a sigh of relief that the plans for building houses on the Green Belt were over. Now we have learned that the Council plans to do it anyway" stated Anthony Butcher, who is campaigning against the housing developments.

"Long Ashton is a primary target for these new houses" continued Mr Butcher, 35, an independent council candidate for Wraxall and Long Ashton. "North Somerset Council has already agreed to build the stadium development on Green Belt land and there are planning applications for 10,700 houses in the pipe-line as part of the South West Bristol Urban Extension right next to the new Stadium".

The news comes just days after it was revealed by the Home Builder's Federation that the Government's new Localism Bill will include a payment of around £4,600 for every new house that cash-strapped councils authorise.