Call for a Backwell heart
Backwell in North Somerset needs a new social heart to support village life as an increasing number of new homes are set to be built, says local property specialist Andrew Simmonds.
With hundreds of new homes given permission by North Somerset Council local people have expressed concern at the pressure on schools and the medical centre. But Mr Simmonds, a director of Parker’s Estate Agents, says a coffee shop where people can meet and chat is a priority.
He said: “The village has a fantastic sporting heart with the tennis, football and bowls club and shopping heart at Rodney Road and the Post Office but there are few places where people can meet in the day, socialise and chat.
“With a major prominent unit about to become available on the crossroads it would be great if this became that heart. It is just across the road from the Village Hall and WI Hall and together the three buildings would form a village heart that would be good for existing residents and future development.
“Villages need to keep the facilities that make them attractive in the first place and it is vital that Backwell is not swamped with new homes and does not become a dormitory. At Parker’s we are committed to the village and want to help people find the right homes to suit their time of life.
“There is already a good mix of properties and recent planning permissions mean there are more to come. There are limited opportunities to create a social centre that would serve existing residents and newcomers alike, so it would be a shame if the opportunity at the crossroads is missed.
“The pressure on schools and doctors is real but these tend to get addressed eventually by local authorities and public bodies. Social facilities are more difficult to regulate for and invariably rely on individuals and groups to get them started.”
Mr Simonds said the crossroads café would be a place for those with young families, pensioners and business people working from home to meet and chat during the day. The unit on the crossroads, currently has previously been an Indian Restaurant and the offices of a property company.
