Welcome to the consultation website for emerging proposals for land at Tower Farm, Portishead.
Thank you for providing feedback at our consultation webinar and at the in-person consultation event. You can see the webinar recording and the boards at the event at the links below.
We have extended the public consultation, which now runs until Friday 24 July.
Please provide your feedback at our Have Your Say page.
Parker Strategic Land is bringing forward proposals to provide new homes, high quality open spaces, play facilities and land for an expansion of High Down Junior and Infant Schools on land at Tower Farm, Portishead, that has an allocation in the emerging Local Plan
To support the proposed allocation in the North Somerset Local Plan, we are consulting on how Tower Farm will best be developed before submitting an outline planning application.
We encourage local residents to review the proposals and answers to frequently asked questions, and provide feedback via the have your say page before an application submitted to North Somerset Council. You can also attend one of our consultation events, with an online webinar taking place via Zoom on Monday 6th July, 6 - 7 pm (link to register here) alongside a drop-in consultation event on Friday 10th July, 11.45 – 3.30pm at Avon Way Hall, Avon Way, West Hill, Portishead, Bristol BS20 6LT.
Our Vision For Tower Farm
The vision for Tower Farm is to deliver a high-quality, sustainable new neighbourhood extension that responds sensitively to its surroundings, respects the natural environment, and provides clear and lasting benefits for the local community.
The site’s topography, long-distance views, existing hedgerows, near neighbours to the site and the presence of Weston Big Wood Ancient Woodland have all been central to shaping how development could come forward. The proposals would be structured around significant areas of green infrastructure and open space, helping to integrate new homes into their surroundings in a sensitive and considered way.
Our plans will deliver long term protection for the neighbouring Weston Big Wood, with a minimum 50 metre buffer and potential school drop off points between the developed area and the wood, which would further benefit from planting. Additionally, High Down schools would benefit from the provision of a dedicated drop-off and pick-up area within our land, which will ensure a safer arrangement for school children going to school whilst addressing congestion on Down Road. The plans would deliver up to 400 much-needed new homes, including a mix of market and affordable housing, alongside new public open spaces, walking and cycling routes, a potential new community building, and improvements to existing community facilities such as Merlin Park.
In June 2025, following an Additional Sites Consultation, North Somerset Council added Tower Farm to the list of sites allocated for development in the Council’s draft Local Plan. In May 2026, this plan was sent to the Planning Inspectorate for examination.
Why is Tower Farm being considered?
North Somerset has an identified need for new homes, and the Council is currently preparing a new draft Local Plan to guide development up to 2041. As part of this process, the Council consulted on a range of potential sites to help address housing requirements, including land adjoining existing towns and settlements where development can be sustainably located.
In June 2025 following an Additional Sites Consultation, North Somerset Council added Tower Farm to the new sites which are allocated for development in the Council’s draft Local Plan, which has now been submitted for examination. The draft allocation states the site has capacity for up to 400 new homes, and any development on the site would need to include a significant buffer to the neighbouring Weston Big whilst adhering to specific policies governing ecology, open space, education, and other key considerations that the application will adhere to.
Tower Farm has been granted an allocation in the draft Local Plan because it lies immediately next to the existing built-up area of Portishead and is well related to existing homes, schools, services and employment opportunities. Development in this location would be close to everyday facilities and has the potential to support walking, cycling and the use of public transport, including existing bus services and the planned reopening of the Portishead rail line, which is anticipated to provide a direct connection to Bristol.
The site has been subject to detailed technical assessment, which has concluded that it is suitable for development and can be integrated into the landscape without significantly changing the character of Portishead or causing harm to Weston Big Wood, provided appropriate design measures are in place.
As there is currently a pressing need to deliver new homes, we are beginning to engage now on our vision for the site to inform the design of the scheme prior to submitting an outline application.
Illustrative Masterplan, showing one way in which the development could come forward (click to enlarge)
Outline application
Following consultation, an outline application will be prepared and submitted to North Somerset Council for its consideration. An outline application would agree the principle of residential development on this site and key areas such as access only. The exact layout of the site and the design of new homes and facilities would be determined at a subsequent reserved matters application, if outline approval is granted. However, a Concept Plan and Illustrative Masterplan has been prepared to help show how the development is likely to come forward.
About Parker Strategic Land
Parker Strategic Land is a family-owned company who promote, manage and develop new places to live, work and enjoy around the country. We have extensive experience in land development and a proven track record for bringing forward and delivering strategic developments throughout the Midlands, South, East and West of England.
Our strong family values determine how we work. We assemble teams of experienced professionals and our bespoke approach to planning, working with the local community and local authorities allows us to achieve our aspirations of creating and delivering quality homes we can be proud of.
To find out more about us, please visit www.parkerstrategic.co.uk