Skip to content

Flash mob assembled to save woodland from homes

Rhiannon Yhnelland
Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley,West of England
Frazer Davey/ Viewpoint Investigative Services Limited A large group of people stood in the shape of a heart in a green grassy field. There are a handful of other people dotted around them looking on from afar.Frazer Davey/ Viewpoint Investigative Services Limited
Around 300 people took part in a flash mob to save the woodland from a housing development

Campaigners have sent a message of "unity" against housing plans threatening woodland by staging a flash mob forming the shape of a heart.

North Somerset Council plans to build hundreds of homes in Tower Farm and Black Rock near Portishead and Weston-in-Gordano, right up to the edge of Weston Big Wood.

More than 300 residents gathered for the flash mob on Saturday, after a petition with 11,153 signatures was hand-delivered to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday.

The council said the two sites marked for housing form part of a submitted Local Plan, which is "undergoing independent examination", but that it "recognises the strength of feeling within the community".

Save Weston Big Wood campaign A view through a parting between the trees in the woodland. In the clearing, you can see houses in the distance and the countryside. It is a sunny day.Save Weston Big Wood campaign
Weston Big Wood is an ancient woodland surrounded by green space used by the public

Weston Big Wood is an ancient woodland and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Resident Ann Singer said she understands there is a need for housing, but feels "there are better places" to build.

"If we don't protect the places that can't protect themselves, then they will disappear," she said.

"Not only will we lose beautiful spaces, we'll lose what they do for the ground and for the air - for everything."

Ann Singer is wearing her hair back in a pony tail and is wearing a cream zip up jumper. She is smiling at the camera and is stood outside on a patch of grass.
Ann Singer took part in the flash mob with other residents on Saturday

Stuart McCarthy from the Avon Wildlife Trust said "the line has been drawn".

"This is green belt - it was designated in the 1980s. We need this area to be kept as a buffer for the woodland," he said.

"You can't mitigate for an irreplaceable habitat - it's ancient woodland."

'Strongly held views'

A spokesperson for North Somerset Council said potential impacts on Weston Big Wood and surrounding areas have been considered "with appropriate mitigation".

"North Somerset Council recognises that there are strongly held views regarding the proposed development sites," they said.

"We have also received planning application 26/P/1618/OUT proposing 400 homes to be built on the Tower Farm site, and we have invited local residents and other organisations to let us know what they think.

"We recognise the strength of feeling within the community and respect the right of residents and campaign groups to express their views."

The council said the next stages of the Local Plan would be made available soon.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.