Developers to use blocks of flats to shield 186 home development from M5 noise

Developers hoping to build a major development next door to the M5 say they will shield the homes from noise from the motorway -- by building blocks of flats next to it. Lands Improvement wants planning permission to build 186 homes in Easton-in-Gordano, on the edge of Pill in North Somerset. The development would span the field between the edge of the village and the M5's Gordano Services[1].

But the plan has prompted warnings that people who move into the homes -- some of which could be just 80m from the M5 -- will have to live with motorway noise. Application documents said that the homes built closest to the motorway will be three-storey blocks of flats, which will shield the houses in the development from the traffic noise. The application said: "Using buildings to block off noise from the M5 is the best and most effective to mitigate noise impacts.

"As such, the proposals include a number of small apartment buildings (up to a maximum of 3 storeys) in the north of the site. These homes will be built with enhanced soundproofing and ventilation, shielding much of the site, and existing homes nearby, from motorway noise." Illustrative plans for the development show additional vegetation planted alongside along the edge of the field where it abuts the motorway and two blocks of flats roughly 100m from the carriageway, on the other side of a planned attenuation pond.

The developers are currently seeking outline planning permission from North Somerset Council. These details would be confirmed at a later "reserved matters" stage.

45% of the homes would be affordable housing and the new development would include children's play areas and a community orchard. The footpath running across the field connecting the village to Gordano Services, which is a public right of way, would be retained.

Although currently a part of the green belt, after the government upped North Somerset Council[2] 's housebuilding target from 15.2k new homes by 2040 to 23.5k, the field has been selected as a location for new housing to be included in the council's new local plan[3] -- which has not yet been officially adopted. Developers have argued that the field should be considered "grey belt" anyway. The planning application states: "The site offers the opportunity to deliver a high quality residential extension to the west of Easton-in-Gordano.

The site can provide people with a place to live which offers a variety of house types and tenures, within a development which prioritises the enjoyment of existing and future residents for generations to come."

You can view and comment on the planning application here[4].

References

1. ^ the field between the edge of the village and the M5's Gordano Services (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^ North Somerset Council (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^ a location for new housing to be included in the council's new local plan (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^ view and comment on the planning application here (planning.n-somerset.gov.uk)