Infrastructure lacking on new builds but some say 'services will grow naturally'

Bristol City Council Conservative leader says new West of England housing developments must include proper infrastructure like GP surgeries and schools

Bristol Live readers are interested to hear that a councillor has warned that plans to build thousands of homes each year across the West of England must not repeat the issues seen in Bradley Stoke.

Mark Weston, leader of the Conservative group at Bristol City Council, said new housing must be delivered alongside key infrastructure such as GP surgeries, schools, and leisure facilities. He raised the concern during discussions on the West of England Combined Authority draft business plan for 2026 to 2027.

The plan includes priorities on jobs, transport, and growth, with a major focus on building affordable, sustainable homes. Large projects like Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, expected to deliver around 40,000 homes, have sharpened the debate. Weston said development must not go ahead without proper infrastructure.

WECA strategy director Jess Lee said infrastructure is central to the plan, linking housing with transport and services.

The authority aims to build over 7,500 homes a year, with metro mayor Helen Godwin stressing the need for the right homes in the right places, supported by proper infrastructure.

Commenter Fisherman19 says: “Large housing estates with no local job opportunities for residents, we all know where that leads.”

Bosco retorts: “What do you mean by no opportunities? Most people I know travel at least 20 miles for work, so having jobs right on your doorstep is not always that important. I work with people who commute from Wales every day. Filton Airport is hardly isolated. It is close to Aztec West, Cribbs Causeway and the M5, with plenty of employment areas nearby. If there are no job opportunities there, then where are they?”

Blueclipper30 writes: “The Community Infrastructure Levy, if adopted by a local planning authority, is mandatory under law for the developer to pay, and Section 106, covering affordable housing quotas, negotiated between an authority and a developer, is also mandatory once set. Local planning authorities, such as BCC, need to be on top of their game with CIL, to get the best out of this. The government has lifted Section 106 obligations for developers in London to meet its house building targets.”

Brother Johnny replies: “That may be true, but a couple of things to keep in mind. The Brabazon development is in South Gloucestershire, not Bristol. From experience, developers have far greater resources than local councils, which makes it difficult for councils to take a firm stance.”

Fisherman19 adds: “Developers build houses to make a profit, nothing else. Who remembers the American development of Keynsham Cadburys site and the promises broken?”

Blueclipper30 thinks: “The majority of ‘new towns’ declared under Labour in fact aren’t. They are already established outer-suburbs of cities or towns which may have been in existence for years, if not decades. ‘Brabazon’ is one, in the South Gloucestershire side of Outer-Bristol. Brabazon also does not conform with the minimum housing target set for ‘new towns’ of 10,000, having planning permission for 6,500 houses. The councillor should have no worries about infrastructure and jobs in Brabazon as it is central to a regional growth arc and is the investment of an international wealth fund. It’s the areas which fall behind that need attention.”

MaddDogg points out: “Bradley Stoke is a suburban town that was built to service Bristol. It has a Doctors surgery, Primary schools, a secondary school, a leisure centre, a library, a shopping centre, and multiple churches. It also has main bus routes running through it. I do wonder what infrastructure Cllr Mark Weston thinks is missing?”

Waltjabsco replies: “I think the point he’s making is that a lot of the infrastructure in the years after the housing was built. It would make sense to plan for this to happen at the same time as the housing is developed, so any current schools or GP’s are not oversubscribed.”

Boisco points out: “I cannot think of a better planned neighbourhood than Bradley Stoke in the Bristol area. It is well designed, with strong local services. Connections are excellent, with simple road layouts, good motorway access, and solid bus routes. Services follow residents. Shops and businesses come once there is demand. Build the homes first, leave space for amenities, and the rest will develop naturally.”

Jake123456 asks: “So based on the drive for correct infrastructure can we assume then that the proposed development of greenbelt land with NO infrastructure improvements or development in the Warmley and Kingswood area will therefore be refused?”

Is Bradley Stoke a success story or a warning for new developments in the West of England? Should infrastructure come first, or follow once people move in? Have your say in our comments section.