Speculative developers who acquired at auction a small plot on a Nailsea housing estate which is used by children to play ball games have submitted a planning application to build on the land.

The application to North Somerset Council is for a three-storey property in the middle of several rows of small terraces houses.

Already 17 neighbours have objected but five similarly worded submissions say the area is a muddy mess used as a drinking den by teenagers!

Here is what some of them are saying:

• I would like to highlight the fact that this space has been, and still is the only open grass space for young children in the local area to play and enjoy outdoor activities without the obstruction of trees/bushes or hedges.

• As a local community with lots of first time buyers/more affordable houses this is an area where allowing young kids to play as close to their own homes as possible (before being old enough to venture further afield) is paramount.

• With decreasing open green areas without obstructions, this small open grass space is the only real place for kids to come from 5 or 6 different surrounding streets where a simple shout out the back door from a parent when it's dinner time can be heard or a peer out of the window or around a corner to be checked on is available.

• This is also a main route for older children going to secondary school the opposite way morning and afternoon, continuing into the evening when socialising further afield. Both age groups passing through either on foot or on a bicycle as seen by the worn patch going diagonally across the proposed land.

• Homes in this area will be directly overlooked if this new build goes ahead and will put many gardens in the shade.

The overriding concerns seems to be loss of amenity space and a green corridor, scale height and position of proposed dwelling and making parking even more congested in this residential cul-de-sac.

One resident said: “Having lived in this location for 20 years, my understanding is that a main drain runs through the central part of the site. This raises legitimate concerns about whether development could interfere with existing underground infrastructure or create long-term maintenance challenges.

“I understand that some residents may support the proposal because the land has appeared untidy or poorly maintained in recent years. For clarity, it is important to note that the present condition is the result of an unusual historical situation rather than a reflection of the land's long-term value as amenity space.

“My understanding is that when the surrounding houses were constructed in the 1980s, the intention was for this parcel of land to transfer into council ownership as part of the wider open space. However, it appears the legal process was not completed, leaving the land in the ownership of the developer.

“Over time-as companies changed or ownership structures evolved-the land was eventually identified as an asset to be sold. This situation created uncertainty over responsibility for maintenance.”

You can view the online p/a here https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=T9KS6RLPG8I00&activeTab=summary