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Homes England has been granted permission to develop new homes on a wildlife-rich meadow in South Bristol.

The plans will see 260 homes built on Bristol Meadows, 30% of which will be affordable, as part of an "integrated 20-minute neighbourhood" close to schools, shops and work opportunities.

Homes England took its planning application directly to appeal after Bristol City Council missed a deadline to decide on the Brislington Meadows project. The council said it would have rejected the plan because it has declared an ecological emergency, while campaigners considered applying for a judicial review.

Homes England, the government's land and property agency, bought part of the site from the council in March 2020, while the rest was purchased from private owners.

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Planning inspector Owen Woodwards said the need for new homes in Bristol "significantly outweighed" the loss of habitats and trees and hedgerows at Brislington Meadows, and because the land was still officially listed by the council as a place to build new homes, he has given it planning permission.

Bristol Mayor Marvin Reeves said that he was "deeply disappointed" by the decision. In 2014 the site had been designated for development by the council, but Mr Reeves' administration has since sought to protect it.

Deeply disappointed to see the Government approve plans to build on Brislington Meadows – this wildlife haven needs protection

Homes England's plans are at odds with my administration's efforts to save the site from my predecessor’s 2014 Local Plan

RSPB/Celine Deglos

— Marvin Rees (@MarvinJRees)

Taking to Twitter Mr Reeves Tweeted: “Deeply disappointed to see the Government approve plans to build on Brislington Meadows – this wildlife haven needs protection. Homes England's plans are at odds with my administration's efforts to save the site from my predecessor’s 2014 Local Plan.”