Property 2023-24 | nailsea-people

Property people

HENSONS the estate agents sponsor the Nailsea People property page.

With more than 80 networked offices in the south west and London the Nailsea office is at Ivy Court, 61 High Street, Nailsea, Bristol, BS48 1AW

Telephone: 01275 810030

Email: info@hbe.co.uk

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ESTATE AGENTS, SURVEYORS, VALUERS, AUCTIONEERS, PROBATE SPECIALISTS, RESIDENTIAL LETTING & MANAGEMENT, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS, LAND NEW HOMES.

MORE THAN 112 YEARS IN PROPERTY - Est 1909

Backwell villagers are up in arms after North Somerset Council executive voted to include 515 houses at Grove Farm and Burnt House Farm in their Local Plan.

This is despite:-

Nearly 100 houses being built recently at Coppice Place, Moody's Acre, The New Inn and other infill sites;
125 houses APPROVED at Farleigh Fields; and
65 houses APPROVED at Rodney Road, behind the Scout Hut (although access issues are still unresolved)

That's a staggering 705 houses in a village that currently has less than 2,000 houses in total, say protestors.

Spokesperson Lorraine Hopkinson-Parker said; "This huge and disproportionate increase would see Backwell become a small town.

"We know that Taylor Wimpey will not stop at 515 houses on Grove Farm and Burnt House Farm.

"They were very open about their intention to build more if they were granted permission at their recent event, and the number would almost certainly end up being around 700.

"This takes our total for Backwell to just over 1,000."

Lorraine, former North Somerset councillor and currently parish councillor Karen Barclay who is also an executive member of Backwell Residents Association along with Barbara Harland an active community volunteer are all part of a newly launched a Save Our Village campaign.

Its aim is to:

Call on North Somerset Council to remove Grove Farm and Burnt House Farm from the final version of the Local Plan.
Remind North Somerset Council that Backwell has not said no to housing, as the figures above clearly demonstrate.
Remind North Somerset Council that Backwell was in fact, one of the first villages in the country to draw up and adopt a Neighbourhood Plan with a sensible, strategic, sustainable and proportionate number of houses.
Remind North Somerset Council that the Neighbourhood Plan was voted on and supported by 96 per cent of villagers in the referendum.
Remind North Somerset Council that the agreed Vision Statement of Backwell's Neighbourhood Plan states 'To safeguard Backwell for future generations as an attractive place to live with a sustainable village feel in proximity to the countryside'.
Call on North Somerset Council not to destroy our fields, wildlife, agricultural land and our village.

There is a six week public consultation period before the final version of the local plan will be voted on by all North Somerset Council elected members.

Loirraine added: "We need to send a strong message to our elected representatives to ensure they listen to the wishes of the residents they serve."

Backwell is a village

A Keynsham auction house has a Nailsea High Street cottage for sale.
The terraced home was until last year a hairdressing business and had been posted as 'sold' for a time but this sale fell through.
City & Rural Property Auctions has included the property in its online auction from 7pm on Wednesday, November 15.
It has a guideline price of £175,000.
And the blurb says: 'A very rare opportunity to acquire this delightful cottage situated in central Nailsea. Originally used as a business the accommodation could be altered to create a two or three bedroom home. The rooms have been listed as 'proposed' with a vision for possible future use and would be subject to necessary planning consents. Properties of this type are very rare to the housing market and therefore interest is likely to be very high. We have been advised by the sellers that residential planning permission has already been applied for. The floor plan is for viewing purposes only and should not be relied on for total accuracy. Early viewings strongly suggested. (with flying freehold).'
For more details go to https://cityandruralpropertyauctions.com/

A haunted Nailsea cottage for auction

North Somerset Council New Local Plan is being discussed on Wednesday, October 18, at Weston town hall and it contains some 'interesting' revelations.

Contained in the 584-page agenda papers which can be viewed by clicking HERE is the overarching plan for future development in North Somerset.

This gem is found on page 42:

'The Preferred Options proposed that Nailsea/Backwell be identified as a strategic growth location subject to the deliverability of infrastructure to address the serious constraints on the highway network. Further work has indicated that the delivery of a new road either over or under the railway to better connect Nailsea to the A370 and relieve congestion at key junctions is unlikely over the plan period. It is therefore proposed to remove sites at South Nailsea and East of Backwell (also Green Belt).'

It also says that the council has identified a housing supply of 15,804 dwellings when its target 14,985 dwellings sites.

Extending the Green Belt to protect the strategic gap between Nailsea and Backwell is in the draft.

And on pages 277 and 285-287 are its proposed Local Green Space allocations for North Somerset.

They includes parts of Farleigh Fields, Backwell Lake, the parkland near West Leigh Infant School, Scotch Horn Park (now Millennium Park, Bibury Close open areas, Nowhere Woods, Blackthorn Way archaeological site, Hannah More Park and the disputed open slope off The Perrings!

The Executive meeting is on Wednesday, October 18, at 2.30pm in the New Council Chamber.

It will be broadcast live via the weblink https://youtube.com/live/tWFy688iTAQ

The numbers game

PLAY GROUND: North Somerset MP Liam Fox offically opening the new playground at the Ryves Vale development on the edge of the Tickenham village he calls home. The stunning new development of 32, zero carbon three, four and five bed homes has just one remaining four bed Sherston design house left for sale at £629,000. Dr Fox said: "Great to see the high quality of the finished homes and that carbon neutral can be both functional and beautiful simultaneously."

For sale

This is an exceptional individual contemporary ‘smart home’.

It stands in a private but not isolated setting at the head of its own private lane on the edge of the ‘old village’ of Nailsea.

Yet it is within easy reach of local amenities.

The house offers over 255sq.m (2,750sq.ft) of floor space with a selection of outbuildings.

It is for sale at a price just over a million at £1,195,000 by Hensons the High Street estate agents.

The key selling points of the property at St. Marys Grove, Nailsea are:

Detached
Open plan living
5 bedrooms
3 bathrooms

To arrange viewing email

info@hbe.co.uk or call

01275 810030

Developer goes door-to-door...

The developer who bought part of a Nailsea community park has gone door-to-door introducing himself to neighbours!

The land was bought at auction for £28,500 in mid-February.
The new landowner told them he intends to build houses on this plot of Trendlewood Park which is currently subject to a North Somerset Council blanket TPO (tree preservation order) and subsidence property issues with an adjoining home.
Nailsea Town Council has also started ‘town green’ moves to further protect the open buffer between Bibury Close and Birdlip Close against any speculative planning applications.
Clerk Jo Duffy reported to the December that the process is underway - see below extract from council agenda papers.

Problems date back to the 1980s when the then Woodspring District Council failed to adopt this land and others dotted all over the town which are currently being auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Grass verges along Queens Road were recently sold by a London auction house.
The story also posted on our Nailsea People Facebook page reached 5,000 readers in the first 24hrs and here are some of the comments it attracted:

Patricia Adams said: "Sounds like a very speculative purchase to me."
Jessica Amy Payne said: "Tell them to go away."
Nicky Sheehan said: "Come on Nailsea Town council and get that Town Green status."
Derek Iles said: "Shame to see houses being shoehorned into these relatively small, recreational spaces.:
New town councillor James R Turner said: "Anyone with concerns around this can email me at james.turner@nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk and I will raise it at the next council meeting."
Angela Searle said: "They’re going to be tiny with no garden. Absolutely ridiculous! It the developer comes to my door I’ll give him short shrift!"
Jeremy Parker said: "Gardens don’t make sense for property developers, it’s a case of cram as many expensive houses on the smallest possible space these days, all about greed."
Lorna Wilmot said: "Jeremy you're right, have you seen the new houses in Tickenham where the garden centre by Tickenham Garage used to be? Huge houses literally looking into each others' bedrooms, the gardens are so small."
Stacey Bamford asked: "I want to know what these people plan to do with the grass verges they've purchased. I'd be fuming if my house backed onto or faced one of those and they started building some monstrosity on them."
Debbie Anne said: "As a property owner with a tree on the verge damaging my property, I have to say I’d rather a house."
Sammy Fothergill said: "I really thought you couldn’t build on it, I looked at the planning, that’s why it went so cheap, goes against everything if they allow planning."
Jeremy Parker added: "They probably can’t build on it but just don’t know that yet, it’s no doubt a speculative purchase. "I’d be surprised if any money has been transferred yet anyway and the people who bid at auction are probably trying to find out more, hence their visit. It no doubt probably explains why two previous sales fell through. "I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s back on the market again fairly soon."

Louise Bateman said: "We have a WhatsApp group for Birdlip and Bibury residents.

"A petition has been ongoing since the first land sale last year and there are other steps being taken.

"The tree preservation has been confirmed as being in the provisional stage.

"Please do sign the petition we were up to 400 signatures yesterday!

"Really wish the developers had knocked on my door I would have had a few choice words.

"Would I prefer to hear owls or building site not much more I can say."

Zoltan Ecseri posted a link here https://chng.it/f2hBBqVDcL to a petition to Save The Green Space Between Birdlip and Bibury Close as parkland.

It says: 'The beautiful small piece of land between Birdlip Close and Bibury Close has been sold with the possible potential for it to be developed, although we don't yet know who has bought it. It could mean we will loose the wonderful place to walk our dogs, homes for the local wildlife including owls, and two oak trees amongst the many other animals and trees.This is a beautiful area and also forms a natural soakaway for the houses that back onto the property, local footpath and nearby bus stop. The area is used by dog walkers, schoolchildren, ramblers and for people cutting through to walk towards the local pub and Trendlewood Road.If you don't want to see this area developed in to yet another housing estate causing chaos, disruption and the destruction of the fabulous trees and wildlife please sign our petition and hopefully we can stop any potential developers from wanting to build on this land.'

Nailsea Town Council elected representative of Golden Valley ward James Turner asked questions at the planning committee on Wednesday, February 15.

He posted on Nailsea People Facebook page after the meeting.

James said: "I raised this issue at tonight's council meeting and there are numerous reasons why the land is unsuitable for development:

It has a public footpath running through the middle of it;
It has a TPO on it;
it is part of the application for a Town Green which is being progressed;
The land owner is currently being litigated against for subsidence damage to houses caused by trees on the land;
It's a prescribed open space that has proven access rights.

"The auction house selling these plots has no local knowledge and the companies buying these plots see a spot of green space, by a road, surrounded by houses and speculate that they can make money by buying them and building on them.

"If they can't they write it off as a tax loss.

"With pending litigation it would be remiss for the council to buy it and spend public money on defending the litigation.

"My question and the answers by my colleague planning committee chairman and also a Golden Valley ward councillor Rod Lees will be covered in the latest minutes when they are published,

"I felt it important to get it on the record.".

Back on market

Backwell House is back on the market at a reduced price.

The former hotel and restaurant Backwell House was once popular for weddings, situated just five miles outside of Bristol, but was shut in March 2022 after six years, citing the pandemic as the key reason for its closure.

The marketing was put on hold during the summer while planning consent was obtained to revert back to use as a dwelling house.

The property has now been relisted for £3.45 million with Burston Cook to exclude the sale of the other standalone cottages, which will be retained but could still be purchased separately if the buyer so wishes.The blurb says: ‘A sweeping driveway leads to Backwell House which has been extensively refurbished and fitted out to the highest standard and ideally suits a family home. This Grade II listed Georgian country house is set against the rolling hills of the North Somerset countryside, yet within just 15 minutes drive time of Clifton suspension bridge, situated on almost 15 acres of land.'.

It initially went on the market in Spring of last year and was listed for £ 4.95 million, which included three cottages on the outer edge of the grounds’.

To download a brochure click HERE.

Farleigh Fields build 'on hold'

Backwell Parish Council has been told following many adverse comments on North Somerset Council online planning page that Persimmon Homes has put Farleigh Fields build on hold.

Residents have been raising concerns about flooding, the outfall, design parameters and landscaping, forcing the builders to withdraw its current design for Reserved Matters and go back to the drawing board.

The parish council said these matters are being reviewed with a view to making a fresh submission in the future.

Persimmon say it remains committed to delivering this scheme in Backwell ‘with quality design, placemaking and customer service at its heart’ and want to work with local people ‘in a spirit of partnership and collaboration’.

In short, this means that although Persimmon still have permission to build on the land there will be no work on this site until a further plan is received.

At this stage it is not clear if and when this might happen.

Nearly 20 detailed online comments from local residents and organisations have made their views known and highlighted the A370 flooding in the recent bad weather, downturn in the market and several adverse newspaper articles slatting the construction quality of this building company.

Backwell lake, the main road and football pitches have recently flooded in the village.

Learning skills on Nailsea building site

Barratt Bristol apprentice Owen Goodland, based in Parish Brook, Nailsea, is helping the housebuilder celebrate National Apprentice Week, which runs from Monday to Sunday, February 6-12, as one of 10 trade trainees.

Owen’s apprenticeship combines on-site work as a trainee carpenter with college work that teaches him his Level 2 Carpentry skills.

Owen, aged 17, comes from a family of carpenters so was keen to get stuck into the trade.

He also wanted an apprenticeship close to him so leapt at the opportunity when he heard that Barratt Homes were taking on trainees at their Parish Brook development in Nailsea.

This year’s Apprentice Week theme is Skills For Life which aims to show that apprenticeship programmes across the country are equipping those involved with the skills they need to progress within their careers.

Owen said: “I’ve always wanted a hands-on job and knew if I worked in the construction industry no two days would be the same.

"What I am enjoying most from my apprenticeship is getting my hands dirty and working with the team on-site who are there to support me when I need it.

"It’s great learning new skills and techniques and it’s satisfying to see my work get better each day.”

It's not just the on-the-job experience that attracts young people to apprenticeships.

For Owen, benefits are also important.

He added: “Barratt offers a good package of benefits including a travel allowance which is so important with costs increasing at the moment.

“I am very grateful for the opportunities and experience I’ve gained so far on my apprenticeship with Barratt Homes.

"The apprenticeship has really boosted my confidence and not just made me into a competent carpenter but has taught me transferrable skills like problem solving and team work.

"While I’m only on the first year of the apprenticeship, I’d like to push myself and go for Level 3 in the future.”

Barratt Homes Bristol sales director Andrea Pilgrim said: “It is great to hear the positive experiences of our apprentices who are valuable members of the site team.

"We are committed to continue supporting the future generations of tradespeople and the future leaders of the construction industry.”

Parish Brook, off Engine Lane, Nailsea, offers a range of two, three and four-bedroom high quality and energy efficient homes.

This new community is on the edge of the North Somerset countryside and is the perfect location for first time buyers, downsizers or commuters say Barratt with great access to the M5 and Nailsea & Backwell railway station. Barratt Homes Bristol is committed to investing in the communities that it builds in and has already made donations to Nailsea Junior Football Club and Grove Pre-school.

Selling, renting it is all here

Plot 13 The Chepstow, Paddock Rise, Nailsea, is on the market for £625,000.

This four bed house with two bathrooms and two receptions is currently under construction for Woodstock Homes in a cul-de-sac off The Perring and is part of a small development on the edge town.

You would think one housebuilder would buck the trend for naming places in Nailsea with an original idea to save confusion.

We already have Bucklands/drive/place/view/rise/end/lane and a pub/café and converted office block both called Coates House and now it looks like another paddock?

We have Ploughed Paddock already...anymore duplicates?

When we asked on our Nailsea People Facebook page readers suggested many tongue-in-cheek alternatives.

More details here https://www.andrewsonline.co.uk/properties-for-sale/house-for-sale-in-plot-13-the-chepstow-paddock-rise-nailsea-bristol-somerset-bs48/55557.

At Somerset Square M&Co is still trading despite the notice on the shopfront and news that the company has fallen into administration.
The company announced its collapse on December 9 and now needs to find a buyer to avoid disappearing from the high street forever.
All of its 170 shops should be open and running as normal for now, while its administrators Teneo Financial Advisory looks for another company to take over.
We are told the Nailsea shop has enough stock to keep going for a bit and it has displayed 'closing down sale' signs before and it didn't shut, fingers-crossed.
Istabul Barbers said it will open this week in Nailsea High Street - see photos of progress including nice interior shot supplied by owners on our Marketplace page HERE..
Golden Horse is closed for what we believe is its annual Chinese new year holiday although one eagle-eyed Nailsea People reader spotted the premises is up for rent on Prime Location along with other town centre businesses!
Coates House is still 'testing' the market and its details appear online.
And the old hairdressers which was being sold 'complete with ghost' as a private home also appears to be back on the market?

Backwell Camera Club has started a rolling exhibition of prints by kind permission of Hunter Leahy, its estate agent shop window on Nailsea High Street.

The prints will be changed fortnightly.

Since the window is lit up at night the pictures can be viewed at any time.

If you are interested in photography, then see www.backwellcameraclub.club for more information including programme, meeting details and contact information.

We welcome new landlord and landlady Jess and Wayne at the Ring O'Bells, see details on our Food and DrinK page HERE.

The affect the recent January rain had on the countryside surrounding Nailsea can be viewed in a slideshow on our Breaking News page HERE.

And finally scaffolding has gone up in the High Street on the old Decades nightclub which has planning permission for a third storey apartments...watch this space...

ON TREND: A London auction house has re-advertised part of Trendlewood Park for sale. The open space which Nailsea Town Council wants designated as a ‘town green’ is advertised as a freehold plot of approx 37,106 sq ft. It has a guide price of £10,000+. This is second or third time the green space has been put in the market as it is believed the first sale in October 2022 fell through. The London Auction House lots go under the hammer on Wednesday, February 8, at 9am. Scroll down to read previous stories or go to the 2022 property page...

Nailsea People did a new year tour of the construction sites and green spaces under threat in the town as Nailsea Town Council considers putting together a Neighbourhood Plan following examples by Backwell Parish Council and Wraxall Parish Council. In 2023 North Somerset Council intends to to prepare the final version of its Local Plan 2038 to send to the secretary of state for an independent examination. To prepare the publication version of the plan, the council will look at comments received so far and the extensive evidence base. It will then decide on the sites to allocate for various uses.

TAYLOR WIMPEY NETHERTON GRANGE

We began at Netherton Grange where Taylor Wimpey has made a start with the first 130 two, three and four-bed homes priced from £330,000 to £620,000.

We bumped into a middle-aged man from Winford who had bought a house on a buy-to-rent scheme and he told us he had tenants moving in next week.

The site like all new builds will impose a ground maintenance fee on its householders as North Somerset Council no longer cares for open space on housing developments.

We wonder why all the new houses have blue front doors but generally it looked well laid out with attractive red brickwork and a solar street lamps.

Whether it will look as attractive when ‘subject to planning permission’ hundreds more homes and a new road network will fill the gap between Nailsea and Backwell who knows.

BARRATT HOMES PARISH BROOK

Someone received a dictionary for Christmas as Pennant Way on the Barratt Homes development is now spelt correctly.

Here at Parish Brook is a mixed development of one bed flats to four-bed houses built on land previously owned in part by Nailsea Town Council.

People are already moving in to the first phase of 171 homes.

And housing association Alliance Homes own 51 of the new builds, 42 will be for social rent and nine will be for shared ownership.

The projected finish date is May 2025.

And if you wondered why the builders left that great green swathe at the front of the development it is because instead of huge pylons, buried deep beneath are high voltage electricity cables.

Nailsea Town Council is currently talking about meeting Barratt Homes to discuss a compensation claim against National Grid for the loss of this land on the site at Engine Lane.

WOODSTOCK THE PERRINGS

Work is progressing on the 14 upmarket homes off The Perrings, east of Youngwood Lane where a mine shaft was discovered last August.

Work was temporarily halted while National Coal experts were consulted when the relic from Nailsea’s coal-mining past was uncovered on one of the plots.

Soon after lots of cement lorries arrived at the Woodstock building site thought to be to fill and cap the huge hole.

To read more go to our September front page here https://w.ww.nailseapeople.com/september-2022-front-page.

The development is a mix of bungalows, semi-detached and detached dwellings with the first completions due in the summer of 2023.

Woodstock website boasts ‘this is a particularly exciting project for us as the site offers some amazing open views over Backwell Lake and the surrounding countryside’ – that is until Taylor Wimpey continues building down the hill?

ACORN PROPERTY GROUP

BUCKLANDS PLACE

Although a huge billboard dominates the top end nearest the railway station of Trendlewood Way building work has not begun on Miss Shepstone’s field.

A detailed planning application to build 24 homes went to North Somerset Council three years ago.

This was for a mix of high quality one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and includes four dwellings with enhanced accessibility for people with disabilities.

The design for Acorn Property Group keeps the existing woodland on the northwest of the one plus hectares which it says ‘will be retained undisturbed but will be cleared of accumulated man-made debris including corrugated iron and general litter’.

Nailsea Town Council highways and planning committee recommended approval for 24 houses in February 2019.

And North Somerset Council gave outline permission that year.

Its designation for ‘community use’ was removed by the district council in a strategic planning review making the scrubland a prime development site.

Landowners Brunelcare and St Peter's Hospice were bequeathed the field in Miss Shepstone's will but it is thought her intention was it should not be built on but benefit local people.

Five years ago, then local vicar Steve Tilley put in a plea for a community building which featured on the front page of Nailsea People.

You can read his words here https://www.nailseapeople.com/nailseapeoplejan2017.

THE CHIMES

And despite objections from neighbours a large two-storey dormer bungalow is going up on the corner of The Chimes and St Mary’s Grove.

We believe work stalled due to Covid.

STONEWOOD HOMES THE UPLANDS

Stonewood Homes plans to build on what was public open space sold by North Somerset Council also seem to have stalled but maybe they are just waiting for better weather?

The plan is for 52 Passivhaus sustainable new homes in a green field behind The Uplands.

PERSIMMON HOMES FARLEIGH FIELDS

People have until Thursday, January 26, to make their views know about the Persimmon Homes to build 125 homes on Farleigh Fields an area which acts as the lungs of Backwell.

TOWN GREEN STATUS

And in other news the Nailsea Town Council clerk Jo Duffy says moves to protect the open space on The Perrings dating back to 2019 which met with an objection from the builders has led North Somerset Council to consult again its Kings Counsel.

The district council move to put TPOs on all the trees in the gully gap at Trendlewood Park has an objection form running into 46-pages by the houseowner whose property has subsidence cracks due to overgrown beech roots.

Paperwork is being prepared to give this area ‘Town Green’ status too, reported Mrs Duffy.

Nailsea-based Wellspring Counselling has received a £1,500 donation from housebuilder Barratt Homes to help meet an increasing demand for its support services.

Wellspring was set up in 1994 to provide affordable, low-cost counselling throughout North Somerset.

Today it offers nearly 100 counselling sessions a week remotely and in venues across North Somerset, including Portishead, Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare as well as Nailsea.

Last year alone it supported more than 300 clients across some 2,900 counselling sessions.

With the current cost-of-living crisis, the charity is seeing more people who are unable to pay the weekly fee and need their counselling to be subsidised further.

This breaks down the barriers to counselling for many people and enables support to those with mental health difficulties whatever their financial circumstances.

As a charity that receives no statutory funding, it relies on grants and donations to continue its provision in the community.

Wellspring Counselling director Wendy Griffin said: “As Nailsea is currently developing and growing as a town, Wellspring has seen an increase in local people referred to us for counselling.

"The expansion of our charity to match the needs of our community is always dependent on the funding and grants we receive from local organisations and councils.

"We are thankful to Barratt Homes that their contribution will help us to continue to provide our much needed one to one counselling service for the residents of Nailsea and beyond.”

Barratt Bristol sales director Andrea Pilgrim said: “Playing an active part in

Barratt Homes support counselling charity

the local communities in which we have developments is something we care very much about as a business.

"Wellspring fulfils a very essential need in supporting good mental health for everyone and so we’re pleased to be able to make this donation."

PHOTO: From left Barratt Homes sales advisers Zoe Barnett and Sharon Cook which Wendy Griffin, of Wellspring

Parkland marketed in small plots

In an unbelievable move the developers who bought Nailsea green open space at auction for nearly £30k have divided part of it into two single plots to resale again at auction.

The open space between Bibury Close and Birdlip Close are offered again for sale but no auction date has been set.

See more here https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132219062.

These tree covered plots have a guide price of £15,000 and back onto the property with the subsidence issues - you couldn’t make it up.

Neighbour Jeremy Parker said: "The map on RightMove’s listing shows the land split up into separate plots.

"My guessing is that the most recent land owners who bought the land at auction last month, maybe realise they probably don’t stand a chance of getting planning permission to develop the land and are trying to find a way to recover their losses and sell it on and maybe also find a way to make some additional money by splitting the land up and selling as separate plots.

"I feel Nailsea Town Council need to be contacted regarding this latest development as it may have implications for the town green status that is being sought to cover the whole area of green space."

Mick Graham said: "I suspect they're banking on frightening neighbouring people into buying to prevent any potential development.

"There was a story on TV a while ago where a company had bought up lots of verges and small pieces of land, then wrote to people whose houses

wrong

bordered them offering first choice before 'possible development '."Some might call it business, others may say it's nasty sharp practice."

Jeremy added: "That’s always a possibility but I suspect they are trying to sell these two plots to recoup there losses as they now probably realise that it’s unlikely they can develop it and also because there is an ongoing insurance claim for which they are currently liable.

"If they think anyone will buy one plot for £15K when the whole land sold at auction last month for £28K they must be trying to pull a fast one.

"The amount the land sold for is in the public domain so I hope any prospective buyers are aware of this.

"Also the listings on Rightmove state vehicle access to the land, this is misleading and in my view inaccurate."

UPDATE: Bidding commences at 12pm with closing bids at 1pm, Wednesday, March 15.

NO HIDING PLACE: The habitat on Trendlwood is under threat as a digger is seen on Miss Shepstone's field. The open space will be replaced with new houses.The deer that graze on the land are being evicted! Roe deer don't build nests or dens; they are active for 24 hours a day, choosing to rest in open spaces so that predators won't have anywhere to hide! They spend a lot of time 'lying up', which means that they lie down and rest while they digest all the grass and leaves they've eaten. PHOTOS: Paul Badman

Estate agents Robin King has reduced the price of a parcel of land on the outskirts of Nailsea with planning permission for six houses to just over £1 million.

North Somerset Council granted permission for the half dozen three, four and five-bed properties with internal garages on the half acre site next to Nailsea & Backwell RFC.

Currently the land is bordered by a mixture of dry-stone walling and post and rail fencing, with the West End rugby club situated on its southern boundary.

Previously straddled with an electricity pylon and wires these have been removed as part of the National Grid Hinkley Point Connection Project.

To download a brochure, click HERE.

The land is being marketed for £1 ,150,000 by the Congresbury branch of Robin Cook.

£1 million+ building land for sale Nailsea

DEAR DEER: A Trendlewood resident took this photograph today of a confused deer fenced in on the field about to be developed - see story below...

With no neighbourhood plan in place although Nailsea Town Council has been talking about it for more than a decade, with UK structure plans abolished in 2004 we are still waiting for the final version of a 2023-2038 North Somerset Local Plan which is due to be published this year.

Lots of consultations but nothing concrete if you will forgive the pun.

This latest ‘land grab’ was supposed to be an alternative to the other developments going on around the western edge of Nailsea by Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes which everyone hoped wouldn't join us to Backwell.

However, this looks like a distinct possibility despite the promises of a strategic gap guaranteed and our neighbouring A370 village has its own issues with builders looking to expand its population size.

Good news though its 'strawberry' tree is getting a TPO.

Nailsea Town Council in one version of its vision proposed building on this green belt land now under threat and has on record said that:

New housing should be built around the town and not to one side
A new road to the north of the town connecting the B3130 from Bristol (Wraxall road) to the B3130 to Clevedon (Tickenham road) and continuing on to connect up to the B3128/B3130 junction (Tickenham Hill road)
Develop employment areas at the north east side of the town – based around the existing Southfield Road and Coates trading estates

And along come LVA which is an investor and planning project manager in UK land and property.

According to its website it focuses on forming responsible alliances with landowners and all other stakeholders to create developments which add value to their communities.

It says this latest project involving land north of Nailsea in the parish of Wraxall will be a major Somerset urban extension and provide a northern bypass!

It goes on to say LVA's approach relies on forming alliances with property owners in which all parties' interests are mutual and aligned.

The current LVA development is to develop the land to the north of Nailsea for a mixed-use development including up to 400 new homes, of which 30 per cent, that is approximately 120, will be affordable, 1.45ha of employment space, and the provision of public parkland, new walks and play spaces.

The scheme is being designed to improve the flood resilience of the site while delivering greater habitat diversity and natural amenity and educational spaces as well as potentially improved and extended sports facilities.

It says the proposed development will

Form a natural extension to the town
Community facilities, supermarkets and schools are within easy walking distance
Provide a mix of housing along with affordable housing to meet local need
Circa 1.45 ha of employment space estimated to create circa 200 new jobs
Parkland along River Yeo providing green links through the site for ecology and recreation
Potential to deliver community meeting space, and improved sports facilities including new changing rooms, extended pitches, improved drainage solutions
Include an Improved playing-field car park to reduce overspill parking on local streets

LVA is hosting a public exhibition at 65 High Street, Nailsea from 2-7pm on Wednesday, March 29 - read more here https://www.lva.co.uk/.

On the other bigger developments we have seen some price reductions or buyers’ incentives like a four-bed, two bathroom Huxford home at Netherton Grange currently being offered for £490,000 with free ‘upgrades’ included by Taylor Wimpey

The tower block in Somerset Square is going ahead minus any food store which was thwarted by the property management company of the shopping precinct who want an enormous upfront payment for use of its car park.

Paul O’Brien said: “No new updates about the site apart from Praxis sticking to the ‘no Aldi’, probably more in favour of trying to get it in the car park where they own the land. .

“We have started the process of setting up site for the redevelopment of the college buildings.”

More information on our March front page HERE.

What will happen with the library building once vacated will be the subject of a separate planning application later this summer, we are told.

At Engine Lane Barratt Homes Bristol sales director Andrea Pilgrim said: “We have been overwhelmed by the level of interest there has been in this development.

“This month (March 2023) alone we have already sold 11 new homes.

”We have already completed 23 of the 120, two, three and four bedroom properties at Parish Brook .

“ We currently have available a range of energy efficient three and four bedroom homes, with more two bedrooms due to be released later this month.

“Our construction team is doing an incredible job on site and we have made significant progress with the two new playparks and look forward to officially opening them later in the Spring.

“The show homes and sales office are open Monday-Sunday 10am-5.30pm.

“Barratt Homes offers a range of financial help to homebuyers, including: the Key Worker Contribution Scheme which is available to key workers and we will contribute £1,000 towards their deposit for every £20,000 they spend when they reserve before June ; as well as other schemes like the part exchange guarantee.”

In other areas the small cul-de-sac by Woodstock Homes off The Perrings is nearing complexion - more details on Paddock Rise homes here https://www.woodstockhomes.co.uk/news/going-to-new-heights.

And the diggers have moved onto Miss Shepstone's field disturbing the deer which usually graze there.

PHOTO BELOW: Doug Willis

Greenfield Crescent playing field

A green belt development

Tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac hidden from the main road is a wonderful arts and crafts house from the 1930s.

One of just a handful of houses from that era it is Grade II listed and available for the first time since new in 1935.

It has been occupied by the same family since The Blitz when they moved out from Bristol at the request of the War Department due to the nature of the father’s employment as a structural engineer.

These new occupants initially rented the house but finally bought it in 1961 from the developer come landlord who retained ownership of the rest of the houses in the mews until much more recently.

It is part of a terrace of four houses recorded by Historic England as being built by Robert McClaren Love, FRIBA for WH Pippett, a mason.

Both men worked for and were inspired by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

This unique three bedroom suburban property is constructed of painted brick with a mansard -style tiled roof and its freehold is offered for sale by Hensons estate agents at £549.950.

To download a full brochure click HERE.

To book an appointment to view call 01275 810030.

Nailsea arts and craft house for sale

NJFC issued this statement on the proposals from LVA regarding the planning idea's that will be available for public consultation Wednesday afternoon March 29.
"Nailsea Junior Fc was invited by LVA group alongside NPFA (Nailsea Playing Field Association) the landowner of Greenfield Crescent to a meeting to discuss our current use of the site and how the site could be incorporated into LVA's proposals going forward.
At the meeting LVA made clear that they wish to help both the NPFA and NJFC in the following areas:
Build a new shared community asset building that would include changing rooms, first aid room, community kitchen, meeting room space and the necessary football related requirements.
Drainage work on the existing site(pitches) and beyond.
New car parking arrangements, to take away from local streets.
Respect the clubs history, by honoring our founders with a plaque and bench. We have used this site since 1974.
Potential increased amount of pitches on the site.
I would like to make it aware that those who have not been to Greenfield Crescent ground recently, our current facilites are one temporary toilet. Our changing rooms, kitchen and toilets have been condemned.
The plans that LVA have put forward will allow the club to have a home with pride and take the club forward on and off the pitch. It will also be a project that will not be tied up in red tape, we are dealing directly with the landowners not town or North Somerset councils.
NJFC is an inclusive club of 371 children ranging from 5-16 from Nailsea and surrounding villages including Wraxall. We take our role in the community very seriously, we play a small part in the mental and physical wellbeing of the kids at the club and also the hundreds of parents and guardians as well.

We understand that there will be different opinions within the community on these proposals and potentially even within the club, but as a committee we can only deal with the proposed improvements to the sporting facilities on offer and how this would catapult the club into a new era.

Why Nailsea Junior Football Club support this development

This is why the club is throwing its support behind the plans and the direct seven figure investment into our kids future's in sport in Nailsea. Having been to the new Lockleaze Sports Centre in Bristol, a £10million pound project that LVA and the architects have completed, this is beyond exciting for NJFC and NPFA.
I would urge all NJFC parents and guardians that feel they could support the project not just to do so verbally, please follow the link on the details below and leave positive feedback or visit in person to register your support.

Ben Watts
Nailsea Junior Football Club

Hundreds of Nailsea people turned up on Wednesday, March 29, at 65 High Street to view controversial proposals for up to 400 new homes on the northern edge of the town in the green belt.

The land between Greenfield Crescent playing fields and the Land Yeo has a military aviation fuel pipe running through it, three listed buildings nearby and the remains of a Roman villa.

Most of the site is in the parish of Wraxall although it is joined to Nailsea which ‘owns’ a small parcel.

With a £4.4 million pledge to improve community infrastructure in addition to Section 106 monies for highway improvements LVA promise to drain the football pitches, provide new changing rooms for Nailsea Junior Football Club, fund a MUGA (multi-use games area) and contribute to the major updating of Scotch Horn Leisure Centre.

LVA who hosted the consultation is an investor and planning project manager in UK land and property.

They say on their website: "LVA is seeking to deliver a highly sustainable, residential-led scheme on a site that abuts the northern settlement boundary of Nailsea in North Somerset. Our vision is of a landscape-led development that is fully integrated with the town; one which not only provides much-needed housing (including affordable), but a range of other benefits including employment uses, public open space and vital infrastructure upgrades, including a ‘Northern Bypass’ for the town. To help us align this vision with local aspirations and policy, LVA is proactively engaging with political and community key stakeholders for the area."

Planning consultant Matthew Kendrick said they hoped to start building within two years but the design of the homes whether it’s traditional or contemporary wouldn’t be decided at this stage.

To get green belt status lifted you would have to ‘plead very special circumstances’ and given the national housing crisis other schemes delivering affordable housing have been allowed, he said.

There is insufficient building land across the UK and the planning blueprint for North Somerset already says some green belt land will have to be released, said Mr Kendrick.

He added: “We are stressing this is a better site than others which are emerging in the Local Plan 2038 due to be published this year.”

This is a reference to proposals to build towards Backwell with a new roundabout and possible link to A370 near the railway station.

The northern site would have traffic bypassing the town centre but then onto B-roads through Tickenham or Wraxall.

Of the 400 houses, a percentage (moveable feast currently 120) would be for social rent or subsided ‘low-cost purchase’ discounted for first time buyers.

Social rent is pegged at between 60-80 per cent of the current private rent levels in the area, we are told.

The UK government standard definition of affordable housing is any property priced at least 20 per cent below market value.

The starting price of new homes in Nailsea is more than £325,000 although

More homes north of Nailsea

Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes building to the west of the town have added extra incentives to would-be buyers.

Helen Iles said: “Object, object, object- every way you can.”

Beth Connock said: “The history of this land is interesting.

“Why are we considering building on green belt land when only a couple of weeks ago a farmer was looking for grazing land.”

All 100 questionnaire forms at the consultation ran out before teatime so the final visitors were unable to record their say.

NJFC chairman Ben Watts said; “It was great to see lots of people there, for or against it shows people care and are engaged.”

Janet Hale Wild said: “Why build on the green belt.

“What are we going to become.

“At this rate we won’t have any countryside left.

“In any event Nailsea is crying out for 2-bedroom houses and not 5-bed detached.

“The shopping centre needs developing.”

Although the new sports facilities are tempting those at the consultation worried about the affect on school places, doctors and dentist surgeries, commute routes and most vocal were those who thought with more parking on adjoining residential roads.

The planners said all new homes would have off-street parking for at least two vehicles.

A planning application to North Somerset Council is likely to be submitted this summer, added Mr Kendrick.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities of the United Kingdom, Michael Gove, announced last December he is opposed to building on the Green Belt and North Somerset MP Liam Fox echoed this standpoint recently.

The diggers have moved in and the deer have moved out as construction begins at Bucklands Place, off Trendleway Way, Nailsea.

Developers Acorn say coming soon will be an exclusive collection of two, three and four bed homes each house built to a 'sumptuous specification' complete with a private garden to every home.

Designed to be energy efficient every home will have an EPC rating A, PV panels and electric car charge ready.

The small green field development will include hedgehog corridors and new bat and bird boxes to preserve and enhance existing biodiversity.

The 3.14-acre field was bequeathed as recreational land to charities Brunelcare and St Peter’s Hospice following the death of Mary Shepstone, aged 95, in 2001.

The land had been given to Miss Shepstone by her father William who built many of the houses in the Bucklands Batch and Bucklands Grove area more than 100 years ago.

Nailsea Town Council highways and planning committee recommended approval for 24 houses to be built on the field in February 2019.

And North Somerset Council gave outline permission that year.

Its designation for ‘community use’ was removed by the district council in a strategic planning review making the scrubland a prime development site.

This tied the hands of town councillors as no valid reason for recommending refusal could be found.

Six years ago, then local vicar Steve Tilley put in a plea for a community building which featured on the front page of Nailsea People - you can read his words here https://www.nailseapeople.com/nailseapeoplejan2017.

A small quarter acre plot of Trendlewood Park is up for auction again on Wednesday, April 19. It is Lot 159 offered by Auction House London with a guide price of £10,000. A small triangle next to Miss Shepstone's field, pictured top, is in same auction at Lot 168 with a guide price of £5,000. More HERE.
A showhouse on the development towards the top of The Perrings is due to open at the end of April. A brochure advertising the properties by Woodstock Homes the developers who built the new houses near The Star public house can be downloaded HERE.

Miss Shepstone's legacy

This is a big, beautiful house for a buyer with an equally big budget.

Someone who is looking for a tip-top semi-rural property with oddles of s-p-a-c-e.

An architect-designed detached home, it sits in nearly half acre at the end of a sweeping drive with parking galore plus a garage for three vehicles.

The modern property boasts four double bedrooms, three bathrooms and five (yes, you read that correctly) reception rooms.

The blurb says ‘the house has been meticulously maintained’ and lovingly updated by the owners who have lived in the home since new.

Download full details HERE.

For sale with High Street estate agent Hensons for offers in the region of £1,250,000.

Oh! Ashmead you are so fine

Nailsea Action Group annual meeting is on Wednesday, April 19, at Grove Sports Club and Social Centre.

It is on the same evening as Nailsea Town Council planning committee at the Tithe Barn.

Both meetings start at 7.30pm and have the proposed massive development by Gleesons on their agendas.

NAG guest speaker is Backwell Residents’ Association chair Keith Riches who will talk about the Gleesons’ development which lies between Backwell and Nailsea running up from the railway line to Sedgemoor Close.

The 96-page town council planning committee agenda papers contained a draft report by transport, planning and highway consultants Peter Evans Partnership.

Commissioned by Nailsea Town Council it contains an assessment of Gleesons proposals for new roads south of Nailsea.

This concludes 'the development...would create additional congestion on Station Road and at the A370 crossroads' and 'it is not certain that a new road link between Nailsea and the A370 to relieve the impact on Station Road can be delivered'.

It says a new railway crossing is needed but this will be technically challenging and questions whether this is 'affordable'.

Read the full draft report as part of the council agenda HERE.

Be warned if printing out it is on yellow paper which will use up all your printers colour cartridge in a jiffy!

On Nailsea planning agenda

Stuart Burdge from Hensons with a guest at our last exhibition.JPG

Property for sale across the south west will be showcased in London on Thursday, May11, when more than 60 estate agency offices in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Bristol join together for the Property’s Southwest Property Exhibition.

Paige, Tom, Stuart and Jack from Hensons in Nailsea will be in London for the duration of the exhibition showcasing properties from Bristol, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset.

Since the start of the pandemic a great percentage of homes sold in our region are bought by people from elsewhere, and around 50 per cent of those make the move from London and the south east.

In order to directly reach these buyers, and after a long break, Henson is thrilled to bring back its second post lockdown Southwest Property Exhibition, which because of visitor numbers will be at a new larger venue.

This will be at he DoubleTree by Hilton London Kingston Upon Thames hotel, which sits in the heart of the borough just 12 miles from central London.

It is within easy reach of the M25 and well served by public transport.

Hensons team will be there to chat with potential buyers, answer their questions and match properties to their needs and as the only exhibitors from Bristol and North Somerset.

Hensons senior partner Stuart Burdge said: "Visitors to the exhibition will be looking for a diverse selection of property – as homes ready to move into and investments as well as holiday homes.

"Every property that we have on the market in the south west will be made available at the event in the affluent Surrey borough, where studio apartments can range from £200-£600,000 and a three-bed semi starts at approximately £450,000.

“We are delighted to resume our regular Southwest Property Exhibitions with the first in our new venue.

"The hotel is in a great location, just a five-minute walk from the station and very accessible from the surrounding areas of Richmond, Wimbledon, Surbiton and Hampton as well as the city and beyond.

"It’s great to be able to take our client’s properties directly once again to active buyers in the south east.”

Iif you’re thinking about selling, or if you’re already on the market but want to change agents, now is a great time to talk to a Hensons – with all 60 networked agencies working together on a daily basis, every branch provides what is effectively a multi-agency service for a sole agency fee.

To see the range of properties and locations being marketed visit www.hbe.co.uk/properties-for-sale to view more than 2,500 properties from across the region.

For further information email Stuart Burdge info@hbe.co.uk.

London calling

Nailsea Action Group was joined by Wraxall and Backwell residents when they discussed the future of new housing developments in our countryside at the Grove Sports Centre & Social Club this week.

The theme of the NAG annual meeting on Wednesday, April 19, was appropriately Love Your Green Space.

The night before Backwell Residents Association held its annual meeting at the secondary school and this too was packed with nearly 200 concerned villagers keen to have their say.

At the NAG meeting debate ranged from whether the green belt is sacrosanct, fears of flooding, the need to provide ‘affordable’ homes especially for young people and if having a local ‘neighbourhood’ plan was a help or hinderance.

BRA chairman Keith Richards said: “Our neighbourhood plan approved in 2015 was the first one in the district.

“We have since supported all the developments contained in this document.”

But two disappointments were suffered of late, he said.

Persimmon after 40 years of trying did get planning permission to build on part of Farleigh Fields and Taylor Wimpey is to build next to the scout hut on the edge of the village despite serious entrance issues.

Local plans were dubbed ‘a minefield’ at public inquiries by former Wraxall & Failand Parish Council chairman and vice chair of the countryside charity CPRE Avon and Bristol vice chair, Chris Ambrose.

He said: “It cost Portishead Town Council £87,000 to produce its neighbourhood plan.”

Mr Ambrose recommended hiring professionals as he had witnessed in other parts of the country barristers pulling to pieces plans put together by well-meaning amateurs.

Retired engineer, former Nailsea town councillor and current NAG member David Gray explained current government thinking by Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

This is that the Government would consult on the guidance that local authorities must follow when preparing their local plans.

The planning system would be changed to allow local authorities more flexibility to set the number of homes to be built.

In December, North Somerset Council welcomed the announcement as councillors had previously voiced their concerns about the impact that current government housing targets would have on North Somerset

Following publication of a draft plan earlier this year and the feedback received from local consultation on that plan, the council had already started to revise its proposals for delivering the needed housing, employment and infrastructure while considering what should be protected in the local area.

However, we are told the numbers of houses earmarked for our area of North Somerset won’t change!

In the past 10 years only 166 houses have been built in Nailsea, of these 52 were for the elderly.

We are now told that 1,500 new homes should be built in Nailsea by 2038 but the number for Backwell at 1,100 may change.

The two major proposals for our area is land north and south of Nailsea.

The northern proposal was discussed at Nailsea Town Council highways and planning committee on the same evening.

The town has council commissioned a transport review of the proposed site and has set up a working party to digest a draft report by the Peter Evans Partnership.

Introduced by chair Matt Thomas, vice-chair Antony Evans and Reis Braganza gave a rundown of areas currently being developed.

More urbanisation of Nailsea

SOUTH NAILSEA

BRA says Gleeson Land, a South Gloucester based team of planning, technical and land specialists, has filled in the map between Nailsea and Backwell with proposals for 400 new homes (down from 600).

They want to build on the steep slope running close to the current Taylor Wimpey development down to Backwell Lake and the railway station.

BRA chairman Keith Richards said: “If a planning application is forthcoming Backwell Parish Council and the resident’s association with 400 members will object.

"We have serious concerns about the traffic, about increased risks of flooding and impact on the landscape and wildlife.

“It is also obvious that this development would encroach on our strategic gap.

“Now we are very happy to be neighbours but we think Backwell and Nailsea should keep their separate identifies and character.”

The plan shows the only access to the 400 dwelling site is via a roundabout on Station Road between the railway station and the entrance to Backwell Lake which will further increase the congestion on Station Road and at the Backwell crossroads already deemed as unmitigable in terms of traffic reduction.

If the developers are tempted to consider the next nearest potential road access, this would be at the end of the quiet, rural, residential cul de sac that is Sedgemoor Close which would completely destroy its character..

The PEP report shows 77 per cent of Nailsea’s working population commute by car. It adds a technically challenging new railway crossing is needed but probably unaffordable.

There was some suggestion by Gleeson of diverting traffic via Failand which caused some wag to ask if they really had visited Nailsea.

BUCKLANDS PLACE

This is Miss Shepstone’s field which was left to charity in her will and is/was a very contengious site off Trendlewood being built on by Acorn Developments. Work has now commenced. It’s been 10 years of a NSC planning process going through many options. Dwellings numbers have reduced from an original of 42 homes, to 30 and finally ending up with 24. This is much more in keeping with the surrounding area and retains the woodland together with ecology corridors for wildlife. However, Reis Braganza said ‘the style isn’t right, orange brickwork and black cladding’.

CAUSEWAY VIEW

Linden Homes bid to build nearly 200 homes on a ‘problem’ north western site with access from the Causeway and another entrance via Watery Lane mooted in the summer of 2017 seems to have fallen by the wayside as it involved constructing a new road through football pitches.

NETHERTON GRANGE

Building progress on this Taylor Wimpey site off Youngwood Lane has been swift on this much bigger site since the last NAG annual meeting but there are more houses to build in this first phase of 250 of the 450 eventually going up. Quite a number are already occupied.

As with Barratts on Engine Lane, there have been many infringements of the CEMP (Construction Environmental Management Plan) and NAG has raised the issues with the contractors and North Somerset Council especially the lack of community liaison.

PADDOCK RISE

The construction of 14 homes on this Woodstock Homes site at top of The Perrings is well under way after a significant effort by many, including residents and Nailsea Town Council, to challenge and stop the plan considered by many only to have been made possible by North Somerset Council’s dubious sleight-of-hand moving the strategic gap boundary, the meeting was told.

The build was held up for a short period by the discovery of a very deep mine shaft in the middle of the site which has now be ‘capped’ by the Coal Authority.

The residents of the five long established bungalows adjacent to the site whose rural outlook south and east over Backwell would have been totally lost have been relieved to learn that the ground level of the houses has been significantly dropped which will still give them an albeit only partial view of the countryside they have enjoyed for so long.

A show homes is set to open at the end of April.

PARISH BROOK

Many of the proposed 171 houses are now built on the Barratt Homes development at Engine Lane and about a third of these occupied. We understand that, due to the recession or near recession, sales have slowed.

The replacement practice pitches for Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club have been carefully tended and now look to the untutored eye, ready for play, but the existing pitches are still in weekly use which means that on the most northerly part of the site, opposite numbers 30 to 48 Engine Lane, not even the groundworks have begun.

Of the circa £4m accrued by Nailsea Town Council from the sale of this site, only a small portion has been allocated for spending with no decision made on how to use the rest even though some considerable time has elapsed since the money passed to NTC.It is hoped that the new council after the imminent May elections will make better progress.

NAG has continued to hold Barratts to account for its many breaches of its own CEMP, (Construction Environment Management Plan), and met with a North Somerset Council environmental health officer called in by a resident in the summer.

The EHO decreed that many aspects of the build were unacceptable not least the air quality, heavy with dust and diesel fumes, rubble spill on to pavements and roads from the many trucks passing through, builders’ litter uncollected and blowing about generally. There have been some improvements since then.

THE UPLANDS

The contentious Stonewood Homes in collaboration with North Somerset Council building of 52 homes on this long and much used piece of public open space was expected to begin at the end of 2022, once the many challenges to this development were exhausted, but so far nothing has happened. It is rumoured that unresolved boundary issues between the developers and the adjacent private properties on the south side of the site are holding up the start.

WESTON COLLEGE

Work is set to start in June on a 7-storey apartment block on the edge of Nailsea shopping centre. It will consist of 38 ‘affordable’ flats and two commercial units on the ground floor.

More ambitious plans to include the old library site and an Aldi supermarket were thwarted when developer Paul O’Brien could not reach an agreement with Crown Glass Shopping Centre property management company, Praxis, for use of the car park.

NORTH NAILSEA

Hundreds of Nailsea people turned up in March at 65 High Street to view controversial proposals for up to 400 new homes for northern edge of the town being put together by LVA an investor and planning project manager in UK land and property.

The green belt land has a military aviation fuel pipe running through it, three listed buildings nearby and the remains of a Roman villa. With a £4.4 million promise in addition to a Section 106 monies for highway improvements and to drain the football pitches and provide new changing rooms for Nailsea Junior Football Club and contribute to updating Scotch Horn Centre the room wasn’t completely hostile.

However, many expressed opposition to this development and a 300-strong email network to fight this proposal has already been set up. Although some argue it will stop HGVs going through the centre of Nailsea the traffic will still have to through the villages of Tickenham and Wraxall.

Mr Ambrose added: "By its very nature, any construction of roads, building or infrastructure will destroy forever this unique greenbelt environment, much used and valued by local residents.

"Planning decisions must focus on protecting, conserving and preventing loss of existing wildlife and habitat and ensure that this land is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

"They must be protected by good strong planning policies to prohibit speculative development proposals in green belt.

"We expect North Somerset Council to uphold their long-held view of protecting the green belt and as restated in the emerging local plan, continue to protect it."

POCKETS OF LAND

Chairman Matt Thomas said: “NAG will monitor (as far as is possible) these green spaces and will try to provide help and support to neighbours and other parties affected by potential speculative developers.”

And Mr Ambrose said The Open Space Society a campaign group that works to protect public rights of way and open spaces in the United Kingdom, such as common land and village greens could help with valuable advice.

Only this week another two pockets of land left from the 1960s-80s as recreational space on the housing estates have been sold at London auction houses to speculators.

We have almost lost track of the parcels of land previously believed to be owned by North Somerset Council which for decades the local authority had taken responsibility for the grass-cutting, tree planting and general maintenance are coming under the auctioneer’s hammer.

Nailsea has 11 green spaces which are larger the one hectare and seven green spaces less than one hectare.

Last year we reported that Federated Homes who developed the houses south of Queens Road back in the 1970-80s went bust and as the land in contention was counted as an ‘asset’ by the official receiver it was duty bound by law to sell to the highest bidder.

It consisted of 4.1 acres of grass verges and play areas between the mostly terraced homes and garage blocks.

All the plots were marketed by Auction House London and described as having 'potential for a variety of uses (subject to obtaining all relevant consents)'.

There was no obligation to tell neighbours or district and town councils of the sale.

The council offered to buy at the reserve price of £5,000 which was refused and an unknown purchaser bid at the auction £42,000 and snapped up the lot.

The next bigger plot is between Bibury Close and Birdlip Close – which neighbours’ thought was part of Trendlewood Park.

This has been up for auction several times as a whole and in parts going for approximately £29K the first time.

Currently they are marketing 12 individual plots for £10,000 each.

Goodness knows who owns it now although the would-be developer did go door-to-door to introduce themselves.

Subsidence on neighbouring properties, TPOs on all the greenery and moves afoot to make the area a ‘town green’ hasn’t thwarted buyers’ ambitions to build.

Nearly 300 homeowners have signed-up to form a resident’s association to ensure the land stays as an amenity area.

Prior to auction this week Lot 59 of a flat one-acre parcel adjoining Tetbury Gardens sold by Paul Fosh Auctions for an undisclosed sum even though it carried a warning that ‘all or part of this site may comprise adopted highway/land’.

And a quarter of an acre adjacent to 31 Bibury Close sold for £78,000 at Auction House London on Wednesday, April 19. Auctioneer details included a design for four 3-bed terraced homes, pictured below.

Suzanne Griffiths Osborne said: “This land also includes a right of way and land that mine and three other garages are on!”

Only the small triangle next to Miss Shepstone’s field with a guide price of £5,000 failed to find a buyer!

Former local journalist and now creative director at PR Prose Rachel Mason is looking at the issues for young people getting onto the property ladder.
She put out an appeal on her Facebook page for help writing a feature piece for the Telegraph.
Rachel said: "Help, did your parents or grandparents help you with a deposit to buy your first house and would you be willing to talk about it and be photographed for a piece in the Telegraph?
"It needs to be in the past five years.
"We can offer a voucher for your help."

To find out more visit www.prprose.co.uk email prprose@live.co.uk or on 0775 914 7131.

First time buyers

New plans to build two four bedroom homes on open space at Winchcombe Close, Nailsea, have been submitted to North Somerset Council.

The application number 23/P/0445/FUL is HERE.

This is despite a similar application being refused two years ago much to the relief of neighbours when the Coal Authority said the area that could be affected by underground mining seams last worked in 1900.
In April 2021 planners decided 'the proposed development would result in the complete loss of an area of open space which is an undesignated green space and is a community facility that makes a worthwhile contribution to the local open space and recreational use and the townscape of the area and no mitigation or replacement for this has been proposed and such the proposal is contrary to policy...'.
The application by Welsh man Furiad Ullah is due to be discussed at Nailsea Town Council planning committee at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 3.

Our Suburban semis for green space story is featured.

This short meeting will be followed by an environment and leisure committee which includes progress update on our 'town greens', 'slow ways' initiative for rural walking routes and a detailed tree report by Silverback Arboricultural Consultancy on town council owned land. The 53-page agenda papers can be found here https://www.nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk/minutes-agendas/.

Heating from underfloor coal seam?

PADDOCK RISE: Two properties reserved already even before showroom opened on Friday, April 28. Thanks to construction manager Dom Kevill Nailsea People and two former Nailsea Town Council chairmen, Jan Barber and Clare Hunt, got an early tour. This is the beautiful Woodstock Homes development of 10 stone-clad and brick 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes which was controversial at planning stage with worries about roof height. We had a private look at the 4-bed Chepstow on the market for £625,000. Double click on slideshow to enlarge photos. And for more details and to book viewing appointment go to www.andrewsonline.co.uk

Business man Paul O'Brien is pondering a name for his new apartment building going up on the edge of Somerset Square, Nailsea.

He has suggested King Charles House!

Work will start soon on the landmark seven-storey residential development which has planning permission for 40 apartments with commercial space on the ground floor.

The developers have secured a partnership with Bromford Housing Association who are committed to ‘provide affordable homes for people who can’t access market housing… to providing safe, secure and warm homes, but also care about the people who live in our homes’.

Dubbed ‘the most exciting residential and commercial project to regenerate the western end of Nailsea shopping centre’ it rises to six storeys above the shopping centre.

There is an additional lower garden apartment level facing the car park.

This would be a similar height as the Wessex Water building at the end of Clevedon Walk and the office building next to Wetherspoons at Crown Glass Place.

It will replace the semi-derelict former health centre/Weston College building which has stood empty for more than eight years.

Paul is also rather taken with a 19th century Irish folly called the O'Brien Tower built on the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare which became a tourist attraction.

But he says he will reward the person who suggests the best name with a meal for two at Paradiso the Link Road Italian restaurant.

Suggestions should be pronounceable and not a duplicate of an already overused name.

Work will begin this summer but we have no date for when the flats will be ready for people to move in.

Send your ideas to nailseapeople@gmail.com or post in comment box on the Nailsea People Facebook page. Terms and conditions apply.

COMPETITION: to name new Nailsea tower block

With the potential of 1,000s of new house going up in Nailsea nearby villages are concerned at the impact of even more traffic using its B-roads.

At its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 24, Tickenham Road Action Group, will discuss and update concerned residents.

The meeting is at 7pm.

To attend email info@trag.org.uk

Tickenham Road Action Group was formed by villagers to influence authorities in the development of new road schemes impacting Tickenham village.

The objective of the TRAG is to promote a safe and healthy living environment for the residents and road users of Tickenham.

The TRAG will aim to achieve this objective by:

Review and assessment of the impact of transport proposals from North Somerset Council SC and related bodies on the village of Tickenham and provide representation at consultation and statutory forums.
Ensure that proposed plans (eg Local Plan, Transport Plan) consider the wider transport needs, options and routes (eg key transport corridors between towns, cities, motorways and airports) when identifying transport proposals impacting Tickenham Village.

Motorists faced recently faced 10 weeks of disruption for road repairs.

This was to improve drainage along Clevedon Road in Tickenham due to finish at the beginning of May.

This was mainly between Tickenham Parish Hall to Moor Lane.

But the 24 hours traffic lights constantly got stuck on red causing long tailbacks.

A temporary walkway was installed to ensure that pedestrian access.

Once the drainage work is completed, an overnight road closure will come into force from until Tuesday, May 23 for resurfacing work to be carried out.

Tickenham road talks

BACK ON MARKET: And who knows why? It would appear that the land off Tetbury Gardens is up for auction again. This came as a Google alert a few weeks ago but nothing was listed on the auction site. This time it is as Lot 171 for Wednesday, May 24, here https://auctionhouselondon.co.uk/lot/land-adjoining-46-tetbury-gardens-nailsea-bristol-avon-bs48-2tl-207015/ guide price £10,000

A deposit-free mortgage specifically aimed at people currently renting has been launched by a UK building society.

While a handful of other no-deposit deals are available, they all need the financial backing of family or friends.

Hensons Estate Agents senior partner Stuart Burdge said “This new mortgage deal makes homeownership cheaper than renting for so many tenants, with the rate fixed for five-years at 5.49 per cent.

"It is distinctive from those existing zero deposit mortgages by not requiring a guarantor and is only for people currently renting a property with 12 months of on-time rental payments and a good credit history.

“First-time buyers who have to a degree been facing an uphill battle with rapidly rising rents meaning saving for a deposit has been increasingly difficult now have a viable solution.

"The current high rent situation has been exaggerated by seemingly well-meaning lobbying from bodies like Generation Rent and Shelter who have only really caused more part time landlords to choose to sell up and so reduce the number of available rental properties to the point that we typically have more than100 people wanting the same house every time”.

"With this mortgage, you can beat rents that will certainly rise at least once each year and budget based on a fixed mortgage payment for the next five years during which time you benefit from any rise in property values.

"We think mortgages like this, and we expect to see others made available, will help more people than the government's now closed Help to Buy scheme, which ran for more than a decade and helped over a quarter of a million first-time buyers while it was offered. So, it’s a real game changer for many."

If you would like more information call Hensons and we will put you in touch with our independent financial advisor who will give you free advice. 01275 810030.

New flash: Deposit-free mortgage

An exciting opportunity to purchase either one individual building plot for a self-build development or four exceptional plots with full planning permission for the erection four 3/4bed four bathroom two storey contemporary homes on a village hillside.

Price guide £385,000

Set in a stunning position off Long Lane in Backwell, the entire site measures approximately 8.5 acres (3.4 hectares) with each individual plot allotted just over a two-acre plot of land.

The setting is quite exceptional with incredible far-reaching views that stretch out from Backwell Hill over the North Somerset Countryside towards the Bristol Channel, a position that truly needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Access to the site is gained via a gated farm style track with a practical area of hardstanding still in existence. The contemporary design of the homes features reversed living space on the first floor in order to take full advantage of the exceptional views.

Full North Somerset Council planning documents are on reference 15/P/1128/F.

Viewings sby appointment through the agent Debbie Fortune Estate Agents call 01934 247863.

Build a house on Backwell hillside

Nailsea People launched a competition on its Facebook page to find a name for the new apartment block being built on the edge of Somerset Square this summer.

The person who put forward the winning name gets the prize of a meal for two at Paradiso, Nailsea's favourite Italian restaurant at the Link Road.

Business man Paul O'Brien had been pondering a name and asked Nailsea People readers for suggestions.

Well, didn't you do well.

You ignored the suggestion by Paul of King Charles House!

Nearly 4,000 of you engaged with the competition and 44 great suggestions were made.

Here is the shortlist - make your vote now.

There are three to choose from and every vote count.

Work will start soon on the landmark seven-storey residential development which has planning permission for 40 apartments with commercial space on the ground floor.

Dubbed ‘the most exciting residential and commercial project to regenerate the western end of Nailsea shopping centre’ it rises to six storeys above the shopping centre.

There is an additional lower garden apartment level facing the car park.

This would be a similar height as the Wessex Water building at the end of Clevedon Walk and the office building next to Wetherspoons at Crown Glass Place.

It will replace the semi-derelict former health centre/Weston College building which has stood empty for more than eight years.

COMPETITION: to name new Nailsea tower block

For months it has been shrouded in plastic sheeting spoiling the street scene when the coronation decorations went up.

But early on Thursday morning, May 18, it started to come off exposing the new flats being built on top of what was Nailsea High Street’s only nightclub..

The architects said when seeking planning permission ‘the proposal would reuse an existing building within the town of Nailsea to create seven small and affordable dwellings…suitable for first time buyers and those needing to downsize’.

The new apartments which sit on top of The Arcade will not have any designated parking spaces.

We posted the property news on our Nailsea People Facebook page and people were quick to respond.

Tim Price said; "That looks really smart!"

And Susan Blamey said: "No parking?"

Erik Bird, of Sam Bird TV, whose High Street shop is opposite the development said: "I believe there are a total of 14 flats, with seven located on the first floor and an additional seven flats on the newly constructed second floor.

"Without designated parking, there will be extra strain on our car parks, especially considering that the council is currently reducing the available parking spaces with the new slip road, which only benefits a few shops.

"It's a shame this couldn't have been used for extra parking instead.

"Nevertheless, it is wonderful to witness this building finally being fully utilized. and helping to revitalize the High Street."

Pauline Davis said: "Part of the reason for the new slip road is so that heavy lorries can be banned from the High street.

"Nailsea Town Council has wanted that for ages as it’s ruining the road surface."

Beryl Hammacott said: "Driving on the High Street is nearly as uneven as the Causeway, not very comfortable.""

Deb Bear said: "Just hope they quit dropping stuff off the scaffolding now a mug came down the other day and shattered on the high street, not to mention the other rubbish that has been left littering the high street."

PHOTOS: Alan Goddard, of Home Additions

Now you see it

Drone footage has captured the emergence of a new community in Nailsea.

Aerial images showcase the construction of Barratt Homes Parish Brook development, just off Engine Lane, with the view from above perfectly capturing its semi-rural location on the edge of the North Somerset countryside.

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director for Barratt Homes Bristol, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the level of interest there has been in this development.

"In April alone we sold 12 new homes and so far this month have sold seven.

"We have already completed 30 of the 120 planned two, three and four bedroom properties and currently have available a range of energy efficient three and four bedroom homes, with more two bedrooms due to be released later this summer.

“Our construction team is doing an incredible job on site and we have made significant progress with the two new playparks which we are looking forward to officially opening later this year.

“The drone images provide a unique perspective of this development and the progress we’ve made so far.

"It gives a fresh new look so it’s easy for potential buyers to see the semi-rural lifestyle they could enjoy with a move to Parish Brook.”

The show homes and sales office are open Monday-Sunday 10am-5.30pm.

VIEW ON HIGH: Striking drone images reveal progress at new North Somerset housing development

Like Topsy Nailsea keeps growing

Barratt Homes offers a range of financial help to homebuyers, including the Key Worker Contribution Scheme where for every £20,000 spent on a home, Barratt will contribute £1,000 towards your deposit.

The development is just six minutes from supermarkets and high street shops while Nailsea & Backwell railway station and the M5 can be reached in under 15 minutes, making commuting easy.

Experienced property professional Simon Russell has joined North Somerset estate agency Parker’s as manager in the Backwell office.

Simon, who lives in North Somerset, has joined from Ocean Estate Agents, where he was assistant manager in the busy Southville branch.

He will be helping people in North Somerset buy and sell homes and supporting Parker’s Estate Agency work with landlords and tenants. He has worked for a number of property agencies in the greater Bristol area for the past 10 years.

Mr Russell said: “North Somerset is an area with a huge range of properties of all types and I am looking forward to helping people find their dream home or sell their property.

"I admire the way that Parker’s Estate Agents has developed in recent years and am really pleased to be part of exciting plans to grow further.”

Parker’s director Andrew Simmonds said: “It is great to have someone of Simon’s calibre and experience join us at the newly-refurbished Backwell office.

"He lives locally and knows the property market here very well.”

Simon can be contacted at Parker’s Estate Agents on 01275 463096.

Or call in at 1-3 Station Road, Backwell, BS48 3NW

Parker's Estate Agency news

Alarm bells were sounded this week as fears trees and hedgerows at The Uplands were going to be cut down in readiness for work to start on another new housing estate.

But this is the nesting season and fearing disturbance of the wildlife newly elected district councillor Ollie Ellis penned this strongly worded email to the officer in charge to ask what was happening.

The email is shared with Nailsea People by Nailsea Action Group.

We are told work on the contentious development by Stonewood Homes in collaboration with North Somerset Council of 52 homes designed by sustainable architects Mikhail Riches will start later this year.

The plan for the houses on a much-used green public open space was expected to begin at the end of 2022, once the many challenges to this development were exhausted, but so far nothing has happened.

It is rumoured that unresolved boundary issues between the developers and the adjacent private properties on the south side of the site are holding up the start.

The Passivhaus homes will form yet another suburban extension into Nailsea countryside.

North Somerset Council development project manager Geoff Brakspear said: “North Somerset Council are extremely pleased with the working relationship we had with Mikhail Riches in fulfilling the development brief of bringing together a sustainable development within a landscape led design.

“We have every confidence that Mikhail Riches will work closely with our development partner to achieve an exemplar housing estate.”

Nailsea Town Council, following legal advice, have decided not to pursue any further action to prevent the development from going ahead.

A North Somerset Council spokesperson on Thursday, May 25, said: “Good progress is being made for the delivery of a flagship new development of high quality, highly sustainable homes on council-owned land to the south of The Uplands in Nailsea.

“Forty per cent of these new homes will be affordable.

“We expect Stonewood Partnerships, our preferred development partner for this scheme, to be in a position to start work later this year.

“The site layout was designed to minimise any impact on existing hedges and trees.

“Any work to trees and hedges will be in line with planning conditions and will take place under the supervision of a qualified ecologist, who will be present on site to ensure the protection of wildlife.

“Residents were informed recently that some initial vegetation clearance would take place, however this was later postponed as the ecologist was not available that day.”

Land clearance fears for wildlife

At Hensons in Nailsea, we are delighted to introduce our remarkable team who have risen above the challenges of the post-mini budget fourth quarter of 2022. With their unparalleled expertise in the North Somerset property market, they have showcased their commitment to providing excellent advice and delivering exceptional results.

This year already ‘sales’ and ‘lets’ have exceeded the first five months of 2022 by every metric and while the national media overreport many elements of crisis, the fundamental economic issues relating to property ‘sales’ and ‘lets’ are price right and they move, don't under price, people will be suspicious and certainly don't over price.

We have seen a significant return in activity since January by comparison with last year despite interest rates at 4%, rather than .75% as they were in May '22. In a normal market if a house sells in 7 days it's probably underachieved, 7-45 days it's about right, 45 days and up it's the price, the marketing or something that can be adjusted, maybe furniture arrangement which is surprisingly important. A good agent will help you dress a house to ‘sell’ or s’let’, you work as a team with them.

The success of the Hensons team can be attributed to their profound understanding of the dynamic nature of the market, acquired through decades of experience. Led by Stuart Burdge BA (Hons), our senior partner with more than 40 years of expertise in Somerset, our team collaborates closely to ensure the highest level of service. Stuart, originally from Brinsea near Congresbury, has with his family been a Backwell resident for many years.

Alongside Stuart, we have two accomplished property consultants – team leaders, Tom Meakin MNAEA and Judith Clarke BA (Hons) MNAEA. Tom, who grew up in rural Nailsea, has earned his qualifications and honed his skills at Hensons having joined us directly from full time education. We, the Hensons family are now absolutely thrilled to announce Tom's recent promotion to office manager, with further promotions anticipated in the near future. Congratulations, Tom!

Meanwhile, Judith brings her intimate knowledge of Backwell, where she spent her childhood and Nailsea where she lives with her husband and growing up family. Judith joined us from a quite prominent estate agency firm and has developed her skills further at Hensons in the past 10 years which has flown by. Judith is a decision-maker and skilled deal maker contributing enormously to day-to-day operations and strategic business development as our senior consultant. Judith also has in-depth knowledge and best of all a soothing, empathetic style that is liked by all.

A key member of our team is Carol Rossiter, our dedicated customer care and services manager. A lifelong local resident whose family come from Wraxall, Carol is committed to providing exceptional sales and lettings services while ensuring customer satisfaction. Despite juggling multiple responsibilities, including managing home renovations of her last few houses (owned one at a time) in Backwell and latterly Nailsea, house moves, and caring for her partner and daughters, all while her girls are still in full-time education! Carol's unwavering dedication and ability to excel deserves admiration especially given that she is now finishing her degree course in estate management, a process all at Hensons go through to achieve the best relevant qualifications.

Annual report from Hensons

the High Street property people

Janet Stirling, our highly experienced negotiator, brings extensive knowledge of the UK property scene to our team. With a deep understanding of the North Somerset, Somerset, and Bristol markets and planning experience, Janet has resided in Nailsea and Backwell, particularly in Church Lane, for a considerable period.

Paige Gully, a successful graduate of Backwell School and lifelong Backwell resident, joined Hensons in early 2022. With exceptional administration and IT skills cultivated during her tenure at the John Lewis Partnership, Paige impresses with her customer service and listening skills. Her personality also impressed us from day dot and we love her sense of humour. Currently enrolled in a degree course, Paige is following in the footsteps of her colleagues, aiming to become a fully qualified estate manager.

Another notable figure within our team is Angela Casali, a partner in the company, who has been with Hensons for nearly 27 years. Originally from Hampstead, north London, Angela has lived in Backwell with her partner and son for 19 years and before that in Nailsea, Wedmore and Congresbury. Throughout her career, Angela has assisted thousands of individuals in their home-buying journey, accumulating an in-depth and constantly updated knowledge of the rental market and conveyancing process. Her unwavering, sometimes fierce determination to progress her clients' sales, and those of other estate agents, is truly invaluable to us and our customers. Angela's clients appreciate her commitment to ensuring a smooth and efficient transaction with client-facing good humour too.

Completing our team are Darren and John, from Clevedon and Yatton, respectively, while Steve lives far away in semi-rural Flax Bourton.

To celebrate the results and thank everyone we will all be at the new restaurant White Truffle, Nailsea for dinner in late June for a summer ‘Christmas do’.

At Hensons being a genuinely local, family-run business is a source of pride. We firmly believe that people and property are at the heart of our operations, and our exceptional service and dedication reflect this core value that has counted since 1909

As our signs say, Hensons - People & Property.

ESTATE AGENTS, SURVEYORS, VALUERS, AUCTIONEERS, PROBATE SPECIALISTS, RESIDENTIAL LETTING & MANAGEMENT, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS, LAND NEW HOMES.

meet the team feature

A Backwell estate agency has celebrated the re-opening of its offices following a major water leak six months ago.

Parker’s Estate Agents and Letting Agents has been a familiar sight in Backwell Village since it opened in 1989 but when a water tank in the property above burst in January, agents were forced to work remotely while major refurbishment works were carried out.

Now managers at the branch have thanked the local community for its patience with a celebration to mark the office re-opening.

Welcoming clients, landlords, tenants and local residents of Backwell, the party included refreshments and a few words from director Andrew Simmonds.

Andrew said: “Our offices have had to undergo a huge refurbishment project to ensure the property is safe and welcoming again for our staff and customers.

"The whole building was ripped back to its bare bones so it has taken a while for us to come back but we’re delighted now that it’s all come together.

“The whole team successfully worked remotely during this period with many local houses bought, sold and let but we love having a real presence within Backwell village where we have been for so many years, in our prominent position on the crossroads.

“The re-opening also coincides with the appointment of our branch manager Simon Russell who is excited to help us grow the services we provide.”

As part of the opening celebrations Parker’s has launched a colouring competition for local children.

Colouring sheets can be collected from the office and three winners will be selected from different age groups with each winner receiving an Amazon gift voucher.

Parker’s is an independent agency, regulated by RICS, providing a trusted, high-quality service and offering extensive expertise in all aspects of the

residential property market.

The agency sells and lets properties in Backwell, Nailsea, Flax Bourton, Cleeve and villages throughout North Somerset.

As members of The Experts in Property, Parker’s can also offer West Country property sales coverage from around 80 estate agents offices including a London office.

For more information visit www.parkers-estate-agents.com

Children's colouring competition to celebrate Parker's grand re-opening

THE PARKER'S TEAM: From left Jayne Mikkelson, Tracey Simmonds, Andrew Simmonds and Simon Russell

As expected an outline planning application to build 400 houses south of Nailsea and west of Station Road has been submitted to North Somerset Council.

The application which was first revealed at a Nailsea Town Council meeting has 75 documents attached and can be read by following link below.

A new vehicular access on Station Road (including demolition of 87 Station Road), pedestrian and cycle access links, public open space, ecological enhancements, landscape planting and associated infrastructure are outlined.

Nailsea People reported last October that Gleeson working with 10 local landowners were putting forward the plan for the new houses on 94 acres which contains a floodplain, conservation area with a new link to join roundabout at Station Road near the railway station.

You can read this report here https://www.nailseapeople.com/property-peeps-2022.

North Somerset Council has posted online the outline application 23/P/1145/OUT for the proposed 400 new homes south of Nailsea and west of Station Road.

It lists documents which spell out the impact on our community from traffic to schools, from health services to environment all to support its case for the development to go ahead.

It’s map of the proposed site doesn’t include a controversial roundabout but it has left ‘space’ for one.

Few comments yet but here is a taster:

SUPPORT

I support this proposal due to the current affordability crisis in the rental sector and property market which disproportionately affects young and working-age people. A key driver of this crisis is that the supply of homes has massively failed to keep up with the demand, this is particularly true of Bristol and the surrounding area.
The proposed scheme will be in close proximity to the train station and several bus stops. In addition, the developer has also proposed upgrades to junctions and new cycle lanes. As a result, I have fewer concerns about traffic/congestion and lack of infrastructure investment than some of the schemes built in Nailsea and Backwell over the past few years.
I don't have a lot of time for arguments regarding the loss of green space due to the development as almost all residents of Nailsea and Backwell will live in a home that was farmland up until the 1970s when the area saw thousands of new homes built in a very short period.
I urge people who oppose this development to consider what they would think if their own parents and grandparents had tried to frustrate new homes being built when they were trying to buy or rent their first home.
The usual voices of the wealthy, the retired and the homeowners will shout the loudest so I feel it's important for a different perspective to be aired.

AGAINST

The number of proposed developments in Nailsea (and Backwell) on Green Belt land is getting beyond a joke.
There is insufficient infrastructure to support yet more (400) houses. The road network in all directions out of Nailsea is already extremely over stretched, with narrow and poorly surfaced roads .
The traffic volume down Station Road towards the A370 has continual queues for most of the day. Another 400 homes is only going to worsen the situation.
This development should not be allowed to proceed.
When is common sense going to prevail?

HOUSE DOWN: This is the house to be demolished as pictured on Google maps. The applicants argue that 'in the emerging North Somerset local plan the site falls within land south of Nailsea identified for 600 dwellings' and says 'to alleviate traffic on Station Road and congestion at Backwell crossroads' a new rail crossing and route between Nailsea and the A370 is needed

BENEATH BULLDOZER: Coal-mining on the farmland ended in 1875 but there are three known mine shafts on the land. The low-lying southern area next to Nailsea & Backwell railway station is classified as a flooding zone. Arsenic and lead have been found in a manmade pond in an isolated part the northern area of the site and a potential gas risk with the advice 'that the contaminated soils located in the infilled pond should be excavated and disposed from the site as 'hazardous' waste. Japanese Knotweed has been found nearby. The site is currently home to roosting bats and a few grass snakes. And a small plot near the station next to grassy marshland is described delightfully as 'swamp'

More new neighbours

Nailsea Town Council is urging residents to look at and comment on a planning application that could see more than 400 more homes built on a local beauty spot.

It issued this statement: “Nailsea Town Council would like to draw attention to an outline planning application submitted by Gleeson Homes, detailed on the North Somerset Council website, which proposes building 400 homes on land south of Nailsea. The council has made its feelings very clear that it vehemently objects to any development on this land which currently marks a clear boundary between Nailsea and Backwell and is a wonderful green open space very much valued by councillors, residents and visitors to the area. The town council will continue to object to this planning application and strongly urges residents to view the application and make their views known in the public comments.”

In March this year, when the council was notified, developers were interested in building on the land, which stretches from Backwell Lake and Station Road in the east, south as far as the Bristol to Exeter railway line, west to the Netherton Grange development site and north as far as The Perrings and Sedgemoor Close in Nailsea, they engaged planning and highways consultants, Peter Evans Partnership, to review the proposals.

The report produced as a result concludes: “The allocation site would not integrate well with Nailsea for pedestrians and cyclists and the potential connections to Nailsea would not be suitable to encourage walking and cycling.”

It also observed it is not certain the site can be appropriately served by buses and there is no certainty that development on the proposed site would meet the accessibility, access and traffic impact tests within National Planning Policy Framework.

Town clerk Jo Duffy said: “The proposed site would introduce approximately 1,600 new vehicle journeys on Station Road on a daily basis, which will impact the Backwell traffic lights and roads in Nailsea, Wraxall and Tickenham.”

Nailsea Town Council calling a public meeting to kick plans into long grass

Nailsea Town Council chairman Mike Bird said: “The proposed development will be at the end of a giant cul-de-sac, hemmed in on three sides by the railway, Morgan’s Hill and Netherton Grange, there will be no cohesion between this isolated development and Backwell and Nailsea.

“From what residents have made clear in the past, this proposal goes against what the people of Nailsea want.”

And chairman of the planning committee Rod Lees said: “Town councillors want to ensure this planning application does not go under the radar and wants to ensure members of the local community are fully aware of the proposals and have an opportunity to comment before any applications are considered by North Somerset Council’s planning committee.”Nailsea Town Council will be calling an extra-ordinary meeting to formulate a response to this application during July, the date of which is still to be confirmed.

SLIPPERY SLOPE: Gleeson's is a specialist land promotion business and has been putting together its plans for the slope between Nailsea and Backwell for more than 10 years. Nailsea Action Group (NAG) member Antony Evans said: “We must encourage North Somerset Council to respond - not just leave it to lie fallow as happened with Netherton Grange/Taylor Wimpey who then gained the upper hand by calling in an inspector effectively who had no choice but to deem the area okay for building not least because North Somerset cannot provide convincing evidence of a five-year land supply for houses.“ And fellow NAG member David Gray fears not having an up-to-date local plan will hinder those opposed to the outline planning application.

Construction is underway at Bucklands Place, Nailsea, a development of 24 homes from Acorn Property Group.

There will be 17 two, three and four-bedroom open market houses along with seven properties allocated for affordable housing.

Each home will be built with energy efficiency at the forefront of the design. Features will include insulation, PV panels and electric car charging infrastructure.

Every house will also have an EPC rating of A, potentially saving the new owner a significant amount on their energy bills compared to an older home.

Acorn Bristol regional managing director Robin Squire said: “We’re always striving to take a bespoke approach to each of our developments and to create homes that fit well within their immediate surroundings.

"Bucklands Place is no exception and has a distinct character that will fit perfectly with the surroundings.

“The development is within easy reach of Nailsea’s thriving town centre and the surrounding countryside, with easy commuting links to Bristol, and we hope the combination and variety of homes available here will help to foster a diverse community.”

Adjacent to woodland, the natural setting has informed the design of Bucklands Place, contributing to the character of the local area, with features to preserve its biodiversity including hedgehog corridors and new bat and bird boxes.

All properties will have parking and private gardens.

Acorn is developing Bucklands Place in partnership with Barwood Capital, which acquired the site in July 2022 through its Residential Platform.

Barwood Capital director and head of residential investment Steve Chambers said: “Our focus is to help bring forward high quality residential developments in the UK regions and given Nailsea’s popularity as a

What's in a name?

Nailsea Town Council short planning committee on Wednesday night, June 14, the name of the new development off Trendlewood came under discussion.

There was a suggestion that the 24 two, three and four bed homes being built off Trendlewood Way by Acorn Property Group should be known as Clover Gardens referring to an 18-19th century field name be vetoed in favour of The Shepstones.

The 3.14-acre field was bequeathed as recreational land to charities Brunelcare and St Peter’s Hospice following the death of Mary Shepstone, aged 95, in 2001.

Nailsea people thought it would be used for the benefit of residents.

Mr Lees said both the district councillor Andy Coles and chair of the local resident’s association wanted this history to be reflected in the street naming.

He said: “This land has a long history with the Shepstone family who build houses in Bucklands Batch and it is important we recognise this.”

A similar situation happened in the 1990s when Earlesfield was built and the developers wanted to name the estate Primrose Lea.

Then the town council argued for local history to be preserved as this site was know locally at Miss Earle’s field.

commuter town, together with the bespoke approach that Acorn has taken with this development, Bucklands Place is likely to see strong demand when the homes are available for sale.”

The new homes are due to be launched for sale later this year and ready starting from spring 2024.

Bird's-eye view of Bucklands

GRAND DESIGNS: A 100 year old detached bungalow ripe for modernisation and expansion is on the market with a guide price of £695-750,000. The Station Road property is on a picturesque site and is being marketed by Hensons the High Street estate agents.
Planning consent was granted in 2017 for a complete revamp would see the property double in size in a architectural makeover of merit. To view in slideshow how it looks now and what is possible. To download brochure click HERE.

Remember Nailsea People telling you back in September 2022 about concerns being raised over small plots including roadside grass verges being sold off in Nailsea to the highest bidder.

Federated Homes who developed the houses south of Queens Road back in the 1970-80s went bust and as the land in contention was counted as an ‘asset’ by the official receiver it was duty bound by law to sell to the highest bidder.

We are still unsure who bought the land but what we do know it

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WhatsApp Image 2023-06-21 at 17.45.31.jpg

London auction houses selling play area + road

isn’t being maintained and the grass is so high it has stopped children playing on what everyone believed was community space.

In other parts of Nailsea we hear neighbours are mowing areas under threat to establish/reinforce community use.

Well, this week we learn the same is happening in Portishead when a road went up for sale!

We believe a previous administration is to blame but does anyone have a solution?

Open space on new housing developments and road maintenance are now the responsibility of the householders via a management company – no more pot hole complaints to the council then?

Photos of the 're-wilding' of our open space being snapped up at auction by speculators and blamed by residents for the increase in hayfever cases.

A Backwell bowling club has new shirts thanks to a local estate agent.

West Backwell Bowling Club has debuted its new kit at a special event at Windsor Castle, thanks to sponsorship from Parker’s Estate Agents and Letting Agents.

The club has historically played in whites, as is traditional in the sport, but as part of it’s new Thrive With Bowls campaign, making the sport more fun and accessible to everyone, it was decided to update the shirts to a vibrant green and yellow.

The club was recently invited to play in the grounds of Windsor Castle versus The Royal Household, where the new shirts were worn and the team won their match.

Parker’s, which has its headquarters at newly-refurbished offices in Backwell, is both principal sponsor and shirt sponsor of the club.

West Backwell Bowls Club chairwoman Grace Higgins said: “We absolutely love our new and unique shirts and we’re delighted to have debuted them at this special game.

“The shirts really represent us as a club – we’re fun, forward looking and engaging and they fit perfectly with our Thrive With Bowls campaign which is all about promoting health and wellbeing, improving the lives of our members and increasing community engagement.

“Bowls truly is a sport for all and we want to support people in being more active.

"We have seen first-hand the difference bowls has made to our new members this year.

"We’ve had whole families playing together, and many say their physical activity has been increased by 100 per cent.

" It has also helped with recovery from a stroke and by providing a social environment for widowers and people who were previously housebound.

“The invitation to play within the Windsor Castle grounds has been delayed since our 90th anniversary during Covid but came at the perfect time to show off our new shirts.

"Many clubs are now moving towards colourful shirts or at least a flash of colour on their kits and I think it’s a great reflection of what an inclusive and fun sport bowls is.

“Thank you to Parker’s for their continued support.”

The shirt’s design also features the club logo, a stag, which is a take on the Robinson Family crest.

Theodore Robinson donated the recreation park grounds to the people of the village of Backwell.

The bowling green was opened in 1929 by the Marquis of Bath who bowled the first bowl. Mr Robinson was made President of the bowling club and remained so until his death in 1959.

The words on the logo are Audi alteram partem - which means hear the other side.

Parker’s Estate Agents director Andrew Simmonds said: “We’re thrilled to be shirt sponsors for this wonderful local team.

"The new shirts look really eye-catching and we’re looking forward to seeing the Parker’s logo in all its glory when we watch the next match.

“Supporting local community projects and clubs like this is really important to us at Parker’s.

"West Backwell Bowls Club is a vital resource for the people of our village and surrounding villages to become more active and to engage in social activities and we’re pleased to be able to back them.”

West Backwell Bowls is a village club run solely by volunteers. With more than 120 visitors per week, the volunteers run regular events for their members and the community including a weekly ‘Tuesday Try’ bowls night and an engaging social programme at the clubhouse kitchen and bar.

The club also has a new Novices section with subsidised membership for all beginners to include all the support, coaching and aids required.

For more information visit https://www.westbackwellbc.org.uk/

Parker’s is an independent agency, regulated by RICS, providing a trusted, high-quality service and offering extensive expertise in all aspects of the residential property market. The agency sells and lets properties in Backwell, Nailsea, Flax Bourton, Cleeve and villages throughout North Somerset.

Estate agent sponsors new VIP shirts

A dream country cottage on the edge of Backwell Common is being marketed for a cool £1.4 million by High Street estate agents Hensons.

Although named Rivida Cottage the grand 5-bed, 3-bath, 18th century property is more of a county estate as it comes complete with small lake, garden rooms, narrow gauge railway and paddock all set in the stunning North Somerset Green Belt.

This is country living close to the amenities of Nailsea and some neighbours.

It comes with all mods cons without losing the character of a bygone age and the bonus of the ‘big boy toy’ train track.

Click top to see lots of images in a slideshow.

To download brochure lick HERE and to learn more or book a viewing call 01275 810030

Country living

Two storeys of flats could be built on the roof of Nailsea shopping centre.

Crown Glass Shopping Centre want to build 18 one-bed flats on its roof top at Clevedon Walk.

Approval for the development was given by North Somerset Council which would take the building near the towering Wessex Water block to four floors high but according to plans facing Somerset Square.

See plan by Developments Bristol whose email is office@developmentsbristol.co.uk.

But some people who live underneath the planned new floors are set to lose their bedroom windows.

Two of the six flats above the shops at 7 Clevedon Walk have bedrooms where the only window is a skylight.

Proposed floor plans show that these skylights will be removed, with a study for the flats upstairs set to be built above them.

The two affected bedrooms will instead get their natural light from a ‘sun tube’ stretching up to the roof two storeys above, which it is claimed would provide ‘up to 98 per cent daylight reflectivity’.

Despite describing sun tubes as ‘not ideal’, the council report by the scheme’s case officer said: “Given the limited number of rooms affected and the potential for replacement light and ventilation to these rooms, prior approval can be granted.”

Building concerns

A resident living in one of the first-floor flats has lodged an objection on the council’s planning portal stating: “The noise of this construction will have an immense impact on the residents here, including myself.

“I work evening shifts meaning sometimes I don't get home until early hours of the morning; this then means I have to sleep in the day.”

Planning permission had been granted in 2018 for the building’s previous owners to build an additional eight flats on the shopping centre’s roof. The development was started, with a staircase built to the proposed second floor, but it was never completed.

Now Praxis — who bought the shopping centre for a rumoured £11.5m in 2020 — have been granted prior approval for 18 flats as a permitted development of two additional storeys on a two-storey mixed use building.

A design and access statement submitted with the application by Knight Architectural Design said: “Being located in Nailsea town centre, there is a wide range of services, facilities, and shops on the doorstep.”

The development will also see a lift and front door communication system installed. It will have a green sedum planted roof and solar panels.

Nailsea Town Council recommended refusal on the grounds of its concern over a similar previous application and the significant impact of the two additional floors on the street scene, which would make it higher than all of the existing elevations around the square.

However, North Somerset Council granted approval, subject to various conditions.

North Somerset MP Liam Fox met residents of the existing maisonettes above Somerset Square to hear their concerns about building works. He also talked to the management company and hopes this will be the beginning of a 'more constructive conversation'.

Topping flat plans

AUCTION LOT 210A ON THURSDAY 6 JUL 2023

St Modwen Homes want to build 200 homes on land between Netherton Wood Lane and Engine Lane. on the outskirts of Nailsea.

This abuts building by Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey of hundreds of new homes and is another attempt to turn the area into a suburban landscape.

At Nailsea Town Council planning committee meeting at the Tithe Barn on Wednesday, July 5, a representative from St Modwen Homes, acting for its client, Planning Prospects Ltd., gave the council an overview of its intentions for some 8.2 hectares of land south of the Parish Brook estate currently being developed by Barratt Homes, and west of Netherton Grange estate currently being developed by Taylor Wimpey.

Outline planning permission will be requested for 190-200 dwellings of mainly smaller family homes, 30 per cent of which will be affordable.

The site will include the area currently occupied by Battens Farm - the farmhouse went on the market last October - and equestrian centre and will link with Netherton Wood Lane for access.

The new development will include spaces for play and recreation, good ecology management, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) with retained hedgerow boundaries and buffer spaces, yielding a 10 per cent increase in biodiversity gain as required by regulation, the meeting heard.

The proposal is being promoted through the developing draft North Somerset Local Plan which is delayed pending central government decisions on planning, but, as North Somerset Council have failed the test for the provision of a five year supply of land for housing, the proposal is believed to be eminently viable.

St Modwen’s acknowledge that their plan, as with others in the locality, is speculative, but believe it is of higher quality than these others.

This is an outline plan so official consultation with statutory bodies with regard to such matters as ecology, archaeology, water and drainage is to come.

A website will be launched next week, there will be a leaflet drop to Nailsea residents most likely to be affected by the development, and St Modwen’s will have a stall at the July farmers’ market.

Nailsea Action Group vice-chairman Antony Evens who compiled this report said there were comments and questions from the councillors and from the 16 people sitting in the public gallery.

Responding to chairman Rod Lee’s call for for a public meeting in the Tithe Barn prior to planning application, the St Modwen representative, said he would take this request away, but they believed that a broader approach such as that outlined above was more effective.

Responding to a question about the incline of the site, those present were told that the company would be working with the levels and the landform appropriately.

A resident commented that the site was not supported in the draft for the Local Plan for reasons of sustainability such as being too far from the town centre.

The response was that the Local Plan is an emerging plan and not fixed or absolute: it is a comparison process, weighing up the pros and cons.

This site is better located here than in the Green Belt and is no further away from the centre of Nailsea as other proposed developments, they were told.

Price Guide: £266,000 - £399,000

Another member of the public raised the matter of the possibility of there being up to 400 additional cars using the area on Nailsea already inadequate road/lane system, which has barely changed, as pointed out by another member of the public, for 100 years.

The St Modwen’s representative said that they will encourage people not to use cars, but he would filter the matter through to their transport consultant.

He was reminded that he had used the words ‘first phase’ and asked to explain what further phases there were to come. There is nothing specific at the moment, but St Modwen’s does own neighbouring land.

Concerns for the badger population were expressed and met by assurances that there would be a full assessment of the badger population which can be moved to new locations.

Questioned about the putative arterial road that could run through the Taylor Wimpey development and whether this would connect with the proposed site, the St Modwen’s representative said that the scheme would allow it to pass round the site to the south and west through additional land that is currently owned by St Modwens’ Homes.

The representative also undertook to look at Nailsea Town Council’s format for building standards that are higher and more specific than the norm.

The presentation concluded and those present averred that it was extremely similar to those they had heard on previous occasions for other development sites in the Nailsea area that are currently in progress.

An outline planning application has been lodged by Gleesons for the development of 400 homes in between The Perrings and Nailsea and Backwell station.

You can view the application by clicking HERE.

Nailsea Town Council is working with Backwell Parish Council and independent consultants to formulate a joint response to the outline planning.

They will be hosting an extra-ordinary meeting on Tuesday, July 25, 7.30pm at the Tithe Barn to agree a formal response.

The meeting will be open to members of the public but residents are urged to make their views known by responding to comments on the planning application on the North Somerset Council website as above.

Bid to build on 'lush farm fields' home to beef herd

Fighting development on all fronts

Tickenham Road Action Group has already lodged an objection to the Gleeson application.

TRAG believe without full traffic assessment this development will just add to the traffic flowing through the village without any mitigations.

TRAG has submitted this response saying the application must be subject to the completion and approval of the North Somerset Council Local Plan 2023-38 for the following reasons:

1) Transport infrastructure serving Nailsea and the local area is woefully inadequate for the current population let alone any additional housing. The Local Plan must address housing growth in this area - 2,900 new homes proposed in the draft Local Plan - and examine transport infrastructure needs that is roads, public transport, cycle and pedestrian paths in totality;

2) This planning application only addresses local transport impacts and not those of the key access routes to serve Nailsea including the M5 access via Tickenham. The addition of 400 more houses will significantly increase vehicle traffic flow including HGVs through Tickenham which is already excessive for the size of the road it carries especially at existing bottle necks including Stone Edge Batch/Jacklands and The Causeway; and

3) The Local Plan may identify additional access routes to Nailsea that includes roadways through this development, potentially linking the A370 with Nailsea.

SIXTY YEARS ON: Somerset County Council first unveiled plans in 1958 for massive house building in Nailsea with plans to take the population from 3,000 to 20,000. Villagers employed a QC and took the fight to public inquiry. They managed to delay development for many years but in the 1970s the new shopping precinct and library began to take shape. Since then campaigns against even more developments in the Yeo Valley, at Morgan's Hill and Engine Lane raged - not all were successful. Now it is on all points of the compass with developers aided by local landowners planning more and more homes on our countryside. Great schools, railway station and lovely community is why people want to live here. The newspaper cuttings are from 1989. Currently our population is estimated at 17,000

failed to sell at july auction

BLOW THE WIND WESTERLY: Here is a map showing the extent of development to the west of Nailsea both under construction and with outline planning permission submitted to North Somerset Council. Battens Farm is outlined in red. The drone footage is a bit wobbly due to a windy day. Add to this proposed building south of Nailsea towards Backwell and that on the north of Greenfield Crescent playing fields which is mostly in Wraxall we are going to be a bustling small town. Hundreds of homes are also being targeted for the village of Backwell

When we revealed plans to add another story to Broad Street Hair in the High Street it reached nearly 35,000 people making it one of the most read articles posted on Nailsea People Facebook page in July.
We told how an outline application has gone to North Somerset Council to knock down Broad Street Hair and replace the building with a new mixed-use development to contain seven flats on top of a commercial unit facing the High Street.
Gibson Architecture say in its planning statement: "The existing building is thermally inefficient, and the works required to bring the fabric in line with current building regulations are likely unfeasible.
"The existing floor plan is difficult to work with due to years of poorly considered additions and historic thick wall constructions.
"The height of the proposed development will be in-keeping with the existing buildings along High Street."
The former bookshop and doctor's surgery is one of few old buildings left in the High Street.
But boss Wayne Hill said: "We have had our salon in Nailsea for over 25 years and been part of the fantastic community.
" I’d like to explain before others think up what might be happening.
"We will be keeping our salon and fantastic team in Nailsea...the Nailsea people have supported us and we love being here.
"However, we do have a very large building that only part is being used due the fact that the government have made it impossible to run our independent hair academy.
"We have been looking at all option to utilize the wasted space.
"I’m sure people will also notice that we have a large area at the back of our building which is unused currently.
"The outline planning we have in is to build over the area out to the boundary the same as the buildings either side of us and to incorporate the upstairs of our building.
"The Nailsea area along with others do not have enough flats or affordable properties for local young people to be able to afford to stay in their home towns so we hope if we do get planning that this will help our local community that have supported us for so so many year.
"Broad St Hair has been in Nailsea and will be staying in Nailsea for many years to come.
Reader Bryn James Thomas said: "We should not just look at the efficiency in use, but also the impact of reconstruction.
"Likelihood will also be that the new building will not be of the quality of the existing and will need further rebuilding with further impact in a shorter time period.
"I’d love to see the study into why this buildings energy performance cannot be improved,"

You can view the planning application here https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=RUHW8ALPMQH00&activeTab=summary

PHOTO: Top David Sowden 1979 and below image from 1908

Broadly speaking

A small triangle of land which it is suggested has room for two small bungalows - see artists impression below - is being auctioned on Wednesday, August 2.

Lot 205A on Trendlewood Way next to The Shepstones building site has a guide price of £5,000 and would-be buyers are warned that the tree on site is subject to a TPO.

The Auction House London sale is open to remote online bidding only.

Situated on the corner of Silver Street and Stockway South/North this beautifully presented Edwardian home boasts four reception room and two and a half bathrooms.

Built in 1904 opposite the old Four Oaks school part of it was originally the village bakery and confectionary shop.

Renovated to the highest standards the seamless fusion of old and new elements has created a 3-4 double bedroom home.

The local stone façade with high gables and a slate-tiled roof makesfor an impressive looking home.

For sale former village bakery and sweet shop

Room for 2 bungalows here

It has a sheltered south and west-facing rear gardens, walled frontage and mature screening hedges and shrubbery.

A gated driveway at the side of the property accommodates parking for several vehicles and leads to a coach house style garage with an attic room above.

It is being marketed by Hensons the High Street property people for offers in region of £750,000.

In a unanimous vote Nailsea Town Council supported by Backwell Parish Council and Backwell Residents Association decided it will fight the planning application to build 400 new homes twixt the two communities.

If allowed this would breach the sacrosanct strategic gap, there to maintain the separate identities of Nailsea and Backwell.

Currently developers have targeted five sites in Nailsea which if all got planning permission could see our population grow by a further 11,000, according to one audience member!

Many at the meeting chaired by councillor Mike Bird on Wednesday, July 25, at the Tithe Barn, shared the view ‘it is all about the money’.

Apportioning blame for this situation is shared between North Somerset Council for not identifying sufficient land for building which opened the floodgates (literally) and central government blamed for imposing unrealistic housing targets.

Retired Golden Valley Primary School headteacher Alan Shaw said: “North Somerset Council failed to identify a five-year supply of land available for housing.”

But both Nailsea Town Council and North Somerset Council are culpable for allowing green fields they owned to be built on, namely The Uplands and Engine Lane.

It was standing room only at Tithe Barn on Tuesday, July 26, to discuss the way forward.

The Gleeson outline application is for up to 400 homes to the south of Nailsea with one new access road with its junction on Station Road just yards from the single carriageway under the Nailsea & Backwell railway bridge.

Traffic consultant James Chequer, of Peter Evans and Partnership (PEP), has been commissioned by the town council to do a technical analysis of Gleeson proposals.

He said: “There is no other proposed access to this site, emergency vehicle access is proposed through Youngwood Lane and a cycle path along the bridlepath linking with Sedgemoor Close.

“Some parts of the site are beyond recommended walking distances to the railway station and there is no connection with bus routes.”

Sharing the narrow country lane with 999 vehicles and tweaking the timing of the Backwell crossroads traffic lights had the audience in howls of laughter.

One resident commented: "The proposal to have all traffic exit and enter via a new access onto Station Road near the railway station is dangerous and impractical.

"An additional 400 to 600 plus vehicles using Station Road right before the single lane traffic light-controlled section under the railway bridge is impractical.

"Traffic will be stuck along the Backwell section of Station Road, vehicles coming out of the car park will be hindered, all of Station Road is narrow and used by many children going to and from school.

"At the top of Station Road at the junctions to Trendlewood Way and Queens Road there are also pinch points where there will be static traffic."

Former town councillor David Gray thought the traffic figures quoted in the Gleeson application were not ‘credible’.

He said: “The computer models used in the transport assessment indicate that, currently, the queues at Backwell traffic lights always clear during the rush hour.

“That’s so unlike my experience of those lights that I went to observe the queues for two morning rush hours.”

He predicted traffic queues and bottlenecks at Backwell crossroads and Station Road currently the main commuter route to Bristol out of Nailsea.

Tickenham Road Action Group chairman Bob Beale echoed his concern saying the B3130 is the main road to the M5 from Nailsea via The Causeway or through the hamlet of West End and Nailsea Wall.

He said: “No thought is given to the wider picture with this application.”

New town councillor and ecologist Sam Rogers talked about the effect on fauna and flora of the area.

For commuters and protected bat species the transport corridors are totally inadequate, the meeting heard.

A map predicted the large area nearest the railway station would be in a floodplain by 2038.

Station Close resident John Dicks said widescale flooding would turn the water meadows into large ponds and make any new access road impassable.

He said: “Covering the hillside with houses and tarmac is only going to make matters worse.”

North Somerset Council flood risk management team backs Mr Dicks assumptions. It said: "the proposed development increases flood depths by 100mm (approximately four inches) and flood depths in Backwell Lake would also increase due to the proposals, this is likely to have an impact on the wider surface water drainage system that is connected to Backwell Lake. The LLFA (Lead Local Flood Authority) disagrees with the statement that the assessed fluvial flood risk is 'very low’."

And the Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium who are responsible for maintenance of the river Kenn which passes through the proposed site has said it objects to the proposed development because it needs more information about the surface water drainage system to assess the flood risk resulting from the development.

Goliath planning battle
sees Nailsea v Gleeson

Independent planning consultant Lucy White, of Backwell, said: “The emerging local plan which is due to go to North Somerset Council executive this October and out to public consultation next year has identified some to the land (not all) for development.

“More land to the west for a further 600 homes are reliant on a rail crossing from the A370.

“We have a situation whereas North Somerset is unable to demonstrate it has an adequate supply of deliverable housing land…this is how Youngwood Lane came through…as the designation map and many key policies for Nailsea are out of date.”

Station Road access, no net gain on biodiversity and serious flooding concerns will be the main issues for Gleeson to resolve, said Ms White.

National Highways’ interest in this application is due to the scale of potential growth in this area, the cumulative transport impacts, and the absence of an agreed up-to-date strategy for mitigation, said Nailsea Action Group chairman Matt Thomas.

And he quoted its online comment on the planning application.

It says: "The Local Plan 2039 is yet to be adopted...(we) will need to be satisfied that the site can come forward without impacting on the delivery of the wider Local Plan. Where the development would result in a severe congestion or unacceptable safety impact, the applicant will be required to deliver mitigation which adequately accommodates its impact, in addition to growth within the Local Plan.”

Nailsea with its large percentage of very elderly people will be full of empty houses in the future as this generation dies off. What is needed is more ‘affordable’ homes for young people – those currently provided where still too expensive for the majority, said Jeanette Bennett.

Former district and town council chairman Jan Barber proposed they work together to oppose this outline application and this was passed unanimously. She also urged people to make their feeling known on the website which now has 92 documents for information.

Mrs Barber said: “We stopped building here 35 years ago, surely we can do it again?”

Clerk Jo Duffy read out the grounds for the objections to the outline planning application by Gleeson would be:

Vehicle access
Flooding
Impinging on strategic gap
Loss of farmland
Ecology
Affordable housing (balance)

Concerned people have until Friday, August 4, to make their views known using this link HERE.

Currently 196 have submitted online comments with 187 making objections in the strongest possible terms.

Also on the North Somerset Council planning portal is:

A request is for an environmental impact assessment of another 400 homes on land to the north of Nailsea, east of Clevedon Road and west of Bristol Road, adjoining Greenfield Crescent playing fields. Ref. No: 23/P/1145/OUT. Read more HERE. This includes a new sports and community facility, improvements to existing playing fields, nearly two hectares of employment space, public parkland, new footway/cycleways and play spaces.
Then there are the proposed 200 homes off Netherton Wood Lane Nailsea, on top of the Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey developments under construction and the small sites at The Perrings (nearly finished); The Shepstones at Trendlewood Way (building work has begun) and The Uplands (about to start).

Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman said in 2023 that 18 per cent of its complaints and enquiries received from the south west were about planning and development, above the England average of 12 per cent and this is the highest percentage share for all regions.

STOP PRESS : You can read the 9-pgage submission by NAG HERE.

Taylor Wimpey has 5-bed homes for sale on its Netherton Grange site in Nailsea.

The properties are currently under construction and and will be ready to move into next year year .

It has released:

Plot 162 - £690,000 with an estimated completion of April/May
Plot 163 - £700,000 with an estimated completion of April/May

These plots are located in a private cul-de-sac with south/west facing gardens.

The developers say: "We offer many great incentives which we are happy to talk about!"

Homeoweners with properties for sale can be helped with Easymover help you sell your existing home with Taylor Wimpey

For the growing family

FAMILY HOME: A slideshow of this impressive 4-bed detached house with three bathrooms and four reception rooms on the edge of Nailsea. It comes with a posh Wraxall address and is offered by Hensons for sale with a guide price of £824,950. In tip-top condition in a lovely setting you can download full details HERE or contact the High Street property people to book a viewing on 01275 810030

Q. We’re currently renting but we want to buy our first property. However, with some prices dropping, doesn’t it make sense to carry on renting for a while longer?

A. I can understand why you might think so. After all, if the place you are currently renting suits your needs, then why risk your hard-earned savings on a home that may well drop in value over the next few months?
Well, no-one can predict what will happen in the property market tomorrow, next week or next month.
However, in the long term, property is always a good, solid investment.
Take a look at the attached graph - the latest UK House Price Index produced by the nation’s Land Registry services, which shows the average UK house price from January 2005 to May 2023.
Indeed, the average price fell every month for the six months after its peak of £292,555 in September 2022.
However, this was in relatively small increments and the last couple of months have seen an upward turn.
More poignantly, you’ll also notice that over the 18 years shown on the graph, every ‘blip’ is followed by a more significant upward swing, culminating in the value of property over the period increasing by almost 90 per cent, from £150,663 in January 2005 to £285,861 in May 2023.
What is slightly more concerning however, is the increased cost of borrowing. Fact is, the base rate of interest had to rise in order to control inflation, which has been falling since its peak of just over 11 per cent in October, to 7.95 per cent in June, and mortgage lenders had to increase their rates accordingly.
The current view among mortgage and financial experts is that rates will have to go slightly higher to further address inflation in the short term but are expected to lower in the coming months.
This has sparked debate among buyers, whether to opt for short- or long-term fixed mortgage deals.

So, I suggest you ask yourselves two questions:

Are you both in good and secure employment? and
Are you prepared to make a long-term commitment to your home?

To buy or not to buy, that is the question?

If you can say ‘yes’ to both questions, then my advice is, go ahead and buy. After all, as first-time buyers with a sizeable deposit you’re in an extremely strong position.However, be careful
Choose a property flexible enough to accommodate possible additions to your
family.
Speak to a reputable independent financial adviser, who can find the best mortgage deal for your individual circumstances, and don’t overstretch yourselves.
Paying out for a proper survey could save you money in the long run and use a solicitor who comes with a good recommendation.
Take your time, choose wisely, and put that deposit to good use.

Stuart Burdge
senior partner
Hensons Estate Agents

ANOTHER CHAPTER: Developer Paul O'Brian said: I have still not purchased the library it has to be registered with land registry before we can complete on the purchase. There has been some vandalism including broken windows, Avon and Somerset police and North Somerset Council asked me to make it safe by fitting hoarding around it. So that’s been done. Bromford pulled out of the purchase of the built out flats stating they feel the area attracts anti social behaviour. Currently nothing is happening.” The old library which opened in October 1971 has been the subject of much speculation on Nailsea People Facebook page. We have had sneak preview of some 'new' exciting plans yet to be submitted to North Somerset Council which include an Aldi food market but now there is a big question mark over the managing the tower block apartments because of anti-social issues. The new library at Colliers Walk closed early on Saturday (same in Weston-super-Mare) because of summer staffing issues but this book return repository has been positioned outside

SOLD £14,000 at auction

Wednesday morning, August 16, in Nailsea High Street and the new streetscape is reveals.

The other picture is back in May when the scafffolding shrouded The Arcade building.

Earlier plastic sheeting came off the new flats being built on top of what was Nailsea High Street’s only nightclub Decades.

The new apartments will not have any designated parking spaces.

However, we now learned there will be a total of 14 flats, with seven located on the first floor and an additional seven flats on the newly constructed second floor.

Eirik Bird, of Sam Bird TV, said: "Without designated parking, there will be extra strain on our car parks, especially considering that North Somerset Council is currently reducing the available parking spaces with the new slip road, which only benefits a few shops.

"It;s a shame this couldn't have been used for extra parking instead.

"Nevertheless, it is wonderful to witness this building finally being fully utilized. and helping to revitalize the High Street."

Readers of Nailsea People Facebook page comments on the long shadows being cast over the High Street and the lack of designated parking spaces for the new residents.

We are told that the properties will be marketed by Connells estate agents.

New 2nd and 3rd floor flats

NEAR OR FAR: Farleigh Fields is one of North Somerset's finest green areas full of wildlife fauna and flora. Used by the community of Backwell for hundreds of years villagers have fought to keep this area green. Detailed planning permission by Persimmon is still to be decided but HERE is the masterplan. In anticipation of getting the go-head in mid-August heavy plant moved on site.

Work on a controversial new estate in Nailsea of 'sustainable' homes is set to begin as the paperwork is all complete.

The 52 new Passivhaus homes for local people has taken a step forward as part of North Somerset Council’s ambitions to tackle the climate emergency and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

A build lease agreement was exchanged on Friday, August 18, by the council and its chosen developer Stonewood Homes to deliver the scheme on council-owned former recreation land to the south of The Uplands.

Construction on the scheme, which will be marketed as Elm Grove, will start soon and is expected to be fully complete by the end of 2025.

A show home is planned for launch in spring 2024 and the first homes are due to be available for occupation by the end of 2024.

The development, which secured planning approval in February 2021, will be a flagship for high quality, sustainable housing and include:

20 homes (40 per cent) to meet local demand for affordable housing, including rented and shared ownership, to be managed by Alliance Homes;
17 adaptable or accessible homes, which will provide for people with mobility difficulties, or for those who develop them during their lifetimes;
all 52 homes will be Passivhaus certified, the highest standard of energy efficiency meaning lower carbon and lower energy bills for residents;
a higher than usual proportion of two-bedroom homes, as well as eight bungalows and features designed to enable home-working and/or downsizing – all intended to help meet local needs;
all homes are at least 10 per cent bigger than required by National Space Standards; and
Solar panels and electric vehicle charging points in all homes.

The project has been supported by a £557k grant from the Government’s Local Authority Accelerated Construction fund, administered by Homes England, a £147k grant from the One Public Estate Land Release Fund and around £128k in Homes England capacity funding.

Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council executive member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy Mark Canniford is the Liberal Democrats ward councillor for Hillside, Weston and part of the Independents Group.

He said: “It’s important for local authorities to lead by example.

"This scheme demonstrates that it is possible to deliver much-needed affordable housing for local people, while at the same time securing innovative design, quality and improved sustainability.

"By delivering on the council’s land, at an allocated site, we are helping to reduce pressure for speculative development at unplanned and less sustainable locations.”

Stonewood Homes will be delivering commitments to social value, including creating local employment, apprenticeships, work placements,

The Uplands flatpack homes

local contract awards, promotion of local businesses and funding to local schools.

Stonewood Homes Ltd land and planning director James Petherick said: “We’re delighted to be starting development of Elm Grove.

"Stonewood Homes is committed to the highest standards of build quality and sustainability.

"Elm Grove will be an exemplar scheme with what we believe is the largest mixed tenure Passivhaus new housing scheme in the south west of England.

"Sustainability extends beyond the fabric of these low energy homes; we are also creating open spaces that will encourage community interaction within Elm Grove and the wider community.

"We’ve already received lots of enquiries from potential buyers who are particularly attracted by the environmental credentials of the homes and the overall design of the scheme.

"We’d like to thank our brilliant consultant team, as well as our partners at North Somerset Council and Alliance Homes.”

For more information about Stonewood Homes, including updates on the development and sales releases, visit https://stonewoodhomes.co.uk/future-developments/uplands-nailsea.

This is the second major residential project to be progressed by the council as part of its development strategy, adopted in February 2021.

The first scheme was Winterstoke Gate at Locking Parklands, Weston-super-Mare, where 425 net zero affordable homes are being created.

The plan shows an aerial view of the houses being built at The Uplands in Nailsea to create the Elm Grove housing scheme.

The drawing shows the layout of the housing scheme.

North Somerset Council permitted the plans for land at The Uplands in 2021, but then had to officially agree to ‘repurpose’ the seven-acre site, which is a favoured open space with dog walkers and residents.

The site had already been deemed surplus to requirements and allocated for housing by the authority in its local plan.

LAND GRAB: A 500 sq m freehold plot at Shaftesbury Close, Nailsea, is up for auction on Wednesday, September 13, with a guide price of £5,000. Lot Auction House London. Read more here https://auctionhouselondon.co.uk/lot/plot-2-land-adjacent-to-43-shaftesbury-close-nailsea-bristol-avon-bs48-2qj-217109/.

Praxis the Nailsea town centre property management company is asking North Somerset Council if it can build a food store in the Stockway South car park.

This would result in a loss of 100 car parking spaces and have submitted a pre-application to agree in principle before putting in a formal planning application.

It was nearly a decade ago that Lidl first tried to build a budget supermarket in Nailsea with the loss of 47 car parking spaces.

But there was a public outcry and despite coming back with several modifications and looking at other sites in Nailsea the budget store company finally gave up.

We are told the current moves involves Aldi and will thwart the vision of Wraxall business man Paul O’Brien to include a food store as part of the redevelopment of the old Weston College and library site.

This has been hampered by land registry for the library building not showing it is owned by North Somerset Council and hinged on getting a section 106 agreement finalised and signed.

Mr O’Brien said this week: “Building costs for the 40 flats since the planning was submitted have gone up from £6.8 million to £8.8 so the scheme at this moment without a food store is not viable.”

The protracted discussions between Aldi who wanted the ground floor of the tower block and Praxis who needed to relinquish part of the car park seem to have fallen by the wayside.

Mr O’Brien added: “We have discussed the Aldi scheme with Praxis and agreed the stores front doors would face Somerset Square to encourage footfall.

“But now they are pushing ahead with a scheme to take out half the car park losing 100 spaces which if approved knocks out the potential to put an Aldi in the shopping precinct and deliver the 40 flats.

“I am always open with what I say and tell the whole truth.

“Whereas Praxis seems to have their own agenda that may not be good for Nailsea.

Plans to build on Nailsea car park

THWARTED PLANS: The new proposal for the edge of Somerset Square with food store and community hub

“It’s a money-making scheme that will make the car park only available for the store and not Towerhouse Medical Centre and the rest of Nailsea residents.”

Mr O’Brien had a meeting with Nailsea Town Council chairman Mike Bird and clerk Jo Duffy and the matter was discussed at the Ask Nailsea meeting later on Wednesday evening, September 13.

There are fears that any new supermarket in Nailsea will affect the existing stores like Waitrose, Tesco and Iceland but many people are already driving to Clevedon or Portishead to shop in the budget food stores in those towns.

Plans to build hundreds of homes in North Somerset village deemed 'utter madness,' writes Heather Pickstock, of Somerset Live.

She added: “There is a real risk Backwell will soon become a small town.”

People have described plans to build more than 500 homes on farmland in a Somerset village as ‘utter madness’ - and say it will change the character of the area forever.

Hundreds of concerned residents packed into a consultation by developer Taylor Wimpey on its plans to build 515 homes on the south western slopes of the village.

The proposed development at Grove Farm and Burnt House Farm will cover a 35-acre site and include a new primary school and community hub.

There will also be new walking and cycling routes - with the potential to extend the existing Festival Way path - and a new nature park and play areas as well as a community orchard and allotments.

A new bus route would also be created through the development.

Out of the 515 homes, between 30-40 per cent are expected to be affordable housing.

Access to the site would be created off the already busy A370 with the Chelvey Road eastern section stopped off to traffic.

An outline planning application for the development is expected to be submitted to North Somerset Council in the next few weeks. Local residents have raised concerns about the scheme, describing the plan as ‘utter madness.”

John Lamborn, who has lived in Backwell for 24 years, said: “This plan is utter madness.

"They are trying to increase the size of the village by 25 to 30 per cent without any of the infrastructure needed.

"We have one dentist, one doctor and one small supermarket and the existing roads are just too narrow and busy to take any additional traffic.

"Backwell has come under siege from a raft of developers and these schemes will change the character of the village forever.

“There is a real risk Backwell will soon become a small town.”

Trevor Leake, 69, who has lived in Backwell for 30 years, said: “We should not be attempting to develop the village any further because there are limits of infrastructure.

“The A370 is already a very busy road and there is no extra capacity for more traffic.

"This development would see a massive increase in people living in Backwell when there are just not the facilities.

“Any development should be on brownfield sites in Bristol where the work and infrastructure is in place.”

Julian Ridge, who lives in Brockley, said: “I strongly disapprove of this scheme and I don’t consider it a good use of good agricultural land.

“This is just increasing the size of Backwell by a ridiculous quantity.”

From having just a few farms in each hamlet in the early 1900s, Backwell now has a population of around 4,500 and an estimated 1,900 homes.

Article re-published from Somerset Live here https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/plans-build-hundreds-homes-somerset-8750751

Backwell resident Lorraine Hopkinson said: “Taylor Wimpey already have planning to build 65 houses on land behind the Scout Hut next to West Leigh Infants on Rodney Road.

“They told me that the ‘reserved matters’ are pretty much done and dusted and they are just sorting out the community levy payments - these are payments made to the parish council when developers build.

“They said a new footpath from Rodney Road to West Leigh Infants was planned for the children and parents walking to school.”

Lorraine also gleamed these facts:

There are three different land owners for Rodney Road, Grove Farm and Burnt House Farm. They said the Rodney Road development will not link up in any way with the Grove Farm development, much as they would like it to;
They said there were other pockets of land currently owned by different land owners, that in future they would hope to acquire;
They said that vehicle access to the Burnt House Farm and Grove Farm site would be via the A370, so heading from Chelvey to Bristol the turning would be on the left, before the existing Chelvey turning (near the Backwell sign;
They said they hoped to have a bus only access to the site via Long Thorn and that they had been talking to First Bus about the feasibility of this;
They said they would provide land for either a new or probably an expansion of West Leigh Infant School. Which could be an extension of the infant school to a primary school and/or replacing Backwell Junior School. They said that the Lighthouse Academy met this morning to begin discussions on what would be preferable;
They said that the DfE would be approached for funding and that this process was in hand;
They said that Backwell Secondary School would be able to cope with the additional number of children, although agreed that this would be at the expense of children in surrounding villages who would probably no longer get a place;
They said WECA, which North Somerset is not part of, are looking at improving bus services and Taylor Wimpey were aware of proposals to make Dark Lane a one way road in order to improve bus flow on the A370 through the village. This would mean you could drive up Dark Lane towards the Junior School but would need to return to the A370 via Church Lane;
Taylor Wimpey has an option to buy Grove Farm itself (on the plan it is an island without any fields), They said they would prefer to develop it as the buildings would look unsightly alongside new houses;
Affordable housing would be spread throughout the development and handed over to a housing association;
Chelvey Road would be blocked off and a new road created with an entrance off the A370, roughly opposite Chelvey Batch – see traffic lights at Brockley Combe plan; and A longer stretch of the A370 would be made 30mph.

Kathy Freeman said: “Heather writes as if all of these assets are included in the proposal but each of them had the words ‘possible’ or ‘potential’ at the Taylor Wimpey event which we all know means they may get binned at a later stage.

“The proposed development of Grove Farm and Burnt House Farm will cover 35-acre.”

Backwell is getting bigger

REDEVELOPING BATTLEAXES:The latest proposals for the green belt development include two storey office extension at rear of the Grade II listed pub, nine new low carbon homes - including six terraced townhouses, two mews houses and a coach house. The bed and breakfast rooms at the pub would be retained and the existing stable building converted into a new retail unit for farm shop selling locally sourced produce and licenced cafe. Read full Somerset Live article HERE or read the 63 documents online at North Somerset Council planning portal and comment HERE

The average price of buying a house in Nailsea has been put at £338,000.

For this to be affordable your household would need an income of £86,914 per annum.

The average salary in North Somerset is £33,749, according to figures published by the ONS for 2022. Between 2021-22, average salaries grew by £17.

In Nailsea 82.9 per cent of homes are owner occupied.

Ignoring the ONS figure all other information is contained in a 117-page Housing Needs Survey published in December 2022 by North Somerset Council.

The population of Nailsea is put at 20,572 in 2022, living in 7,039 households.

It says nearly half of Nailsea’s housing stock was built between 1965-82.

Around 540 people say they have moved away from Nailsea in the past five years because they couldn’t find suitable accommodation in the town.

Nailsea needs a range of affordable dwellings in particular one bed flats and bungalows and it concludes the town needs more starter and retirement homes.

This information is based on the 2,100 people who took part in the survey in September 2022.

At a North Somerset Council meeting on Monday, September 11, councillors were given a summary of the results including:

the demand for different types of housing (including affordable housing, rental units, and homeownership opportunities);
barriers or challenges preventing residents from accessing suitable housing;
the need for supportive housing options (such as housing for older people, those with disabilities and impairments, and low-income families); and
the impact of rising housing costs and housing shortages.

North Somerset Council executive member for homes and health Jenna Ho Marris is the Green Party ward councillor for Pill.

She said: “What a great response! I’d like to thank everyone who responded to the surveys, particularly the residents of Clevedon and Nailsea.

“I’d also like to thank the Clevedon and District Community Trust Group (CDCT) for their invaluable support with carrying out the survey exercise.

“We know we haven't been building enough of the kinds of homes that people need.

“This is a local problem and a wider national problem, which has gone on for many years.

“The results of this survey also shows just how much more we need to do to on truly affordable housing.

“This information will provide a useful steer to parish councils, neighbourhood plan groups, community land trusts, housing associations and developers.

“On top of this, it’s valuable evidence to the council’s planning officers when reviewing applications for potential housing developments in the towns. I want this to spur action for the right homes, in the right place, at the right price.”

The survey responses can be read in full in a report published on the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/housingneedsreport.

COUNCIL PRIORITIES

North Somerset Council is mapping out its priorities for the next four years. They want to hear the views of local residents about what is most important and how council tax should be spent. The council has organised a series of face-to-face opportunities for people to give their views about council priorities and finances for the years ahead. For Nailsea it is Wednesday, September 20, 6.30pm onwards at the Tithe Barn.

UNSOLD AT LAND AUCTION

Two plots of land didn’t sell at London auctions this week. On Wednesday, September 13, the London Auction House was inviting bids for Lot 218, a freehold roadside parcel at Shaftesbury Close. It has a price guideline of £10,000+ (double what is was originally valued at), but at the end of the day it was listed as ‘unsold’. And on Thursday, September 14, Lot 237 the freehold of another Nailsea open space this time at Portland Close went under the online hammer at London-based auctioneers McHugh & Co with a guide price of £5,000. At close of play it was listed as still ‘available’.

TIMBER AT BIBURY

An application to fell several trees with TPOs (tree preservation orders) on the land at the rear of 1 Bibury Close which is causing subsidence damage to neighbouring homes has been submitted to North Somerset Council. The application number 23/P/1831/TPO to fell cherry and three beech trees has to be decided by Thursday, October 19 – see more HERE. The ‘town green’ status of the land on the edge of Trendlewood Park is currently being processed.

Households need annual income of nearly £90,000 to afford average priced house

A presentation by the Vistry Group who want to build on Causeway View is being made at Nailsea Town Council planning committee on Wednesday evening, September 27, at the Tithe Barn.

The initial planning is for 150 new homes on a site allocated for 400.

Currently in Nailsea major house builders Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey are developing green fields with smaller companies like Woodstock, Acorn and a Mikhail Riches led project working on smaller sites.

And investors LVA want to build an ambitious housing estate on the northern boundary of Nailsea with large parts of this land in the parish of Wraxall that includes a ‘northern bypass’.

Backwell also has swathes of countryside under threat from the builders.

Vistry is an amalgamation of Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes.

Vistry control the central and southern parts of the allocated site, other landowners control the land to the north which includes Nailsea & Tickenham Football Club ground at Fryth Way.

These plans have been delayed by National Grid's work grounding the pylons on the site.

Since then, a detailed set of technical and environmental assessments have been undertaken to understand the site’s opportunities and constraints to development, say Vistry.

In its public blurb it says, ‘the proposals look to deliver up to 150 new homes, including 30 per cent affordable homes, through a landscape and ecology-led approach that retains 54 per cent of the site as green space, providing a multi-functional new community parkland, with a mix of meadows and wetlands, orchards and allotments, play and recreational space, and extensive new tree and hedgerow planting.’And it promises part of a new spine road which will ‘improve connectivity around north-west Nailsea’.

Vistry has a Nailsea vision

Vehicle access would be from the creation of a new road off Watery Lane.

Read more here https://vistry-northwestnailsea.com/.

The 22-page agenda papers for the planning committee which starts at 7.30pm can be downloaded HERE.

The public gallery was packed for Nailsea Town Council planning committee chaired by James Tonkin on Wednesday evening, September 27, at the Tithe Barn to hear a presentation by the Vistry Group, the developers who want to build on Causeway View.

The three-strong team of Marengo Communications director Tom Selway, Vistry Group strategic planning manager Lucy Atkins and Boyer Planning director Lawrence Turner delivered a PowerPoint introduction to how they would like the land to the north of Hanham Way developed.

The trio were working on the assumption that now the National Grid had removed the pylons that most of the consultations had been completed in 2018 when the site was first identified for house building in the adopted local plan prepared by North Somerset Council.

Phase one is for 150 (of a potential 450) new homes with 30 per cent ‘affordable’ and lots of open space for allotments, parks, picnic areas, an orchard and the like very similar to the strategy put forward by Barratt Homes in its presentation.

The Vistry Group only have an interested in half the site which is allocated for housing in the local plan and once planning permission is granted work could start at the end of 2025.

The contentious issues included the proposed access through Watery Lane and potential flood risks.

And investors LVA want to build an ambitious housing estate on the northern boundary of Nailsea with large parts of this land in the parish of Wraxall that includes a ‘northern bypass’ while Gleeson Land which promotes land through the planning system for residential development are exploring the slope from the Taylor Wimpey site towards Nailsea & Backwell railway station.

Backwell also has swathes of countryside under threat from the builders - see details of latest proposals below in letter from Stoke Morgan planning.

Vistry is an amalgamation of Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and the Countryside Homes.

Vistry control the central and southern parts of the allocated site, other landowners control the land to the north which includes the Nailsea & Tickenham Football Club ground at Fryth Way.

These plans have been delayed by National Grid's work grounding the pylons on the site.

Since then, a detailed set of technical and environmental assessments have been undertaken to understand the site’s opportunities and constraints to development, say Vistry.

In its public blurb it says, ‘the proposals look to deliver up to 150 new homes, including 30 per cent affordable homes, through a landscape and ecology-led approach that retains 54 per cent of the site as green space, providing a multi-functional new community parkland, with a mix of meadows and wetlands, orchards and allotments, play and recreational space, and extensive new tree and hedgerow planting.’ And it promises part of a new spine road which will ‘improve connectivity around north-west Nailsea’.

Read more here https://vistry-northwestnailsea.com/.

Nailsea & Tickenham FC chairman John Murray was given assurances that the Fryth Way ground was not included or affected by these proposals although the PowerPoint said Twickenham FC ground (which is in Middlesex) which made the audience questions whether they had done their local homework.

Mr Murray said: “We are grateful that there was no direct impact on the club’s ground from the development, but we are concerned that access from the Vistry site to the adjacent site would need to cross the club’s land?”

He was told that this would not be necessary.

Many of the 60 residents who attended the meeting lived in the area adjacent to that on which Vistry developers are proposing for housebuilding.

The meeting heard the proposed housing estate would be energy efficient, gas-free, with electric vehicle charging points.

Fifty per cent of the whole area would be open space with good ecology management, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) with retained hedgerow boundaries and buffer spaces, yielding a 15% increase in biodiversity gain which is beyond that required by regulation.

Prior to the planning application being submitted all the statutory surveys will be undertaken for heritage, ecology, flooding, transport impacts.

Golden Valley ward town councillor Ian Presland refuted the developers’ claim of good public transport links from the area and exhorted them to consult local councils and bus companies further on this matter.

Clerk Jo Duffy said she understood that the government-owned company National Highways, formerly the Highways Agency, has asked for a halt on

Vistry vision for 2025

all development planning in Nailsea for six months to allow further consideration of the cumulative effect on the roads in, and as access to and from the town.

But the Vistry team said National Highways should have already consulted on allocations of land made by North Somerset Council in 2018 which included the north Nailsea locations.

Golden Valley ward coopted town councillor Anthony Hobbs averred that affordable homes were not – affordable, and exhorted Vistry to do more than just to tick the required boxes for a development plan as he had heard all this before from other builders’ presentations.

He urged them to ‘go beyond basic expectations’.

Nailsea Action Group spokesman Dave Gray said they was an identified need for more smaller homes to be built in Nailsea to allow older residents to downsize and younger people to come in and this wasn’t reflected in the design for the site.

Resident Beth Connock raised concerns about notorious flooding in the area and the dangerous nature of the main access point to the site on a sharp, poorly sighted bend in the road.

Vistry assured those present that these matters would be dealt with by the district council and related local flood drainage boards once a formal planning application was made.

Mr Tonkin invited those present who still wished to speak to meet the Vistry representatives in the small council room off the foyer.

An orderly queue then formed!

Mr Selway added: “Most the questions from the presentation concerned highways, downsizing with flooding being the main.

“The main point from the residents afterwards focussed on the direct impact on them, the loss of views and why we were building on green fields.

“One gentleman referenced that this had been coming for 30 years, another said she’d bought their house there earlier this year and had no idea, another that she’d known but assumed it wouldn’t happen.”

Thanks go to Antony Evans, of NAG, for help preparing this report.

To download the Vistry PowerPoint presentation click HERE.

Monday, January 22, is the last chance to respond to the Local Plan - the deadline is 5pm.

The principal changes in this plan are:

The 15 year plan period has been revised from 2023-2038 to 2024-2039.
The target of 20,880 dwellings is replaced by 14,902 dwellings 2024-2039.
Three proposed Green Belt sites, including the strategic location at Yanley Lane (Woodspring golf course) are no longer proposed to be allocated.
There is significantly less growth proposed at Nailsea/Backwell in the absence of strategic highway mitigations, and this area is no longer identified as a strategic location for growth.
Instead of three strategic growth locations, there is proposed to be just one at Wolvershill (north of Banwell) to accommodate some 2,800 dwellings.
Additional employment provision is identified at M5 J20 Clevedon to address longer term needs requiring good access to the motorway.

Nailsea Action Group recommends you make comments relevant to Nailsea and immediate environs.

To comment go to https://n-somerset-pp.inconsult.uk/system/login?nextURL=%2Fconnect%2Eti%2FNSLP2039PreSub%2FjoinGroup and register

2024

North Somerset Local Plan 2039

LAND FOR SALE: Auction House London is selling more odd pieces of land in Nailsea that North Somerset Council failed to adopt after developers completed the nearby housing estate. This one is behind 1-4 Portland Close, Nailsea. It comes under the hammer on Thursday, February 8. The 428 sq m freehold plot on a residential road with a guide price of £5,000 is listed as Lot 286 for the online sale. Read more HERE

MAY TREE: Charming fully-modernised and enlarged chalet bungalow which dates back to 1908 and is on the market for the first time in 50 years with a guide price of £725-800,000. Add to this a great neighbourhood, lovely gardens with bonus of summerhouse all with in walking distance of Nailsea town centre. Contact Hensons in the High Street for more details or download full details HERE

EDWARDIAN HOME: Positioned on a super road this substantial 1910 property has a later wing added in 1939. It is on the market for offers in the region of £875,000. The main bedroom has scope to add an en suite (there is already a loo installed), three further bedrooms, family bathroom plus downstairs shower room. Outside is a large lawned garden, and summer house. Download Hensons details HERE

Housing developer Persimmon say that flooding on the A370 through Backwell is caused by silted up drains in the latest papers submitted in a bid to get detailed planning permission through for a housing estate on the much-loved Farleigh Fields.

New papers have been submitted to North Somerset Council following objections by local people and the Lead Local Flood Authority to the building of 90 new homes. Local people have until Monday, February 19, to study the 33 amended documents submitted to the planners.

Many of the 55 objections to the original plans put in over Christmas said that building on Farleigh Fields would increase run-off putting existing homes in danger of flooding and increasing the risk of flooded roads.

Persimmon have admitted that they did not put in documents assessing the downstream flood risk when they applied for permission over the Christmas period. They have now carried out surveys on the A370 and say the highway drains are not functioning at capacity, effectively blaming Wessex Water and the local authority for the flooded roads.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley planning manager Raheel Mahmood said in a letter to North Somerset Council that if the highways drains were to be cleared there would be sufficient capacity for both the highway and the site run-off.

He said: “We would replace the highway drain from the site entrance to the existing manhole in the leisure center car park. The drain would then be adopted by Wessex Water. This scenario would provide an outfall for the Persimmon development as well as providing a betterment by resolving the existing flood issue on the A370.”

Persimmon have not held any consultation exhibitions explaining the plans to local people. The new planning application papers submitted also contain changes to a proposed pond to catch floodwater that is behind homes in Farleigh Road.

Planners have urged people who had views on the previously submitted plans to view the new ones and make any comments in letters to the immediate area delivered this weekend.

Building on Farleigh Fields was rejected at all planning stages, including by the Secretary of State.

Persimmon obtained outline planning for 90 homes at a Planning Inquiry in Weston-super-Mare last year.

Building in Backwell 1

Wimpey Taylor want to build hundreds of houses at Grove Farm and Burnt House Farm, Backwell, which would in one foul swoop double the size of the village and turn it into a town.

The developers have submitted an outline planning application (application ref. 23/P/2618/OU2) for up to 515 new homes and associated development at Grove Farm/Burnt House Farm, Backwell.

Its proposals will include a mix of one, two, three, four and five bedroom properties. To support the council’s ambition for more affordable housing, circa 35 per cent are affordable homes, to address the type and size of dwellings needed within the North Somerset area.

This development say Wimpey Taylor will provide an excellent choice for all buyers, from working professionals and young couples taking their first step on the housing ladder, to growing families or downsizers.

It added: "Our plans for the site will deliver a high-quality scheme that, if approved, will provide much-needed new homes to meet the unmet housing need of North Somerset."

Proposals at a glance

Up to 515 new homes, including circa 35 per cent affordable
All new homes will be built to the Government’s ‘new future homes standard’
A new community hub and land for a new primary school
A scheme which prioritises walking and cycling and access to public transport, through a network of internal walking and cycling routes
A potential bus link through the site linking the A370 (at the main site access) to Long-Thorn, Moor Lane and Station Rd
Contributions and support to the sustainable transport measures on the A370 transport corridor
New homes structured around an extensive network of green infrastructure and open space
Significant enhancements to local wildlife and greenery through new planting and habitats
The creation of new children’s play areas
Extension of the local Sustrans cycle network called ‘festival way’
A new nature park on the southern edge of the site

A vehicular access is proposed from the A370 to the south, with improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and bus priority measures.

It is proposed that the eastern section of Chelvey Road within the site will be stopped up to vehicular traffic (existing residents will continue to have access), with the eastern end used for pedestrians and cyclists only.

Access to Grove Farm will continue from the Chelvey Road / A370 priority junction.

There are existing watercourses that run through the site which flow to the rhynes and the River Kenn to the west of the scheme. The existing watercourses will be reused with debris cleared and improvement /diversion works undertaken where necessary.

Numerous attenuation ponds will be provided on site, which will all have a permanent water level, where possible contributing to our ecological enhancements.

Foul flows from the development will drain via gravity into a proposed pumping station located within the development which will connect into the existing Wessex Water sewer via a rising main.

At the inquiry it was stated that other parts of the field would be protected for local people as green space in the future, but no arrangement has been made.

The latest development comes at a time when many Backwell Residents are displaying sign-boards saying “Save Our Village” because of the amount of proposed development. More than 700 people have so far objected to another development at Grove Farm by Taylor Wimpey , which would see an additional 515 houses built.

Those objecting say the village infrastructure, including doctors appointments, school places and capacity on the A370 will not cope with all the development being proposed and that vital agricultural land would be lost. Comments on that application also close this week.

Both plans are outside of areas identified in the Backwell Local Plan for new housing provision.

Martin Powell

Backwell resident

Building in Backwell 2

More than 600 objections on the North Somerset Council site. Here is a selection:

1) Backwell will become a small town and will lose its semi-rural village status. Impacting on its character and setting.
2) Local roads will suffer from severe congestion in and around Backwell. The proposed bus service plan will not help in the increased traffic situation.
3) The proposed development is not near any major employment areas therefore creating longer commuting distances.
4) Station Road is a busy and congested now, the proposed development would only add to this. Station Road is used for routes between Backwell and Nailsea.
5) Forward planning for increased bus services is in the hands of the bus companies not NSC.
6) Peak times for the train service at Backwell and Nailsea Station are already incredibly busy with commuters unable to get on a train. There are no current plans to alleviate this situation.
7) Beautiful country side will disappear and this would impact on wildlife. Also good agricultural land is needed for farming and growing produce.
8) Schools, medical centres and dentists would be overstretched.
9) This development is not in the NSC core strategy or the Backwell Neighbourhood Plan and is being pushed by the developers prematurely. I also believe that there will not be enough starter homes available and the developers are only interested in the bottom line.

1. The proposed expansion would increase the size of Backwell by 25%
2. The current roads in and around Backwell are heavily congested, originally not designed to handle the existing traffic volume. The proposed Backwell Sustainable Infrastructure Plan (BSIP) suggests making Dark Lane one way up, contributing to increased congestion on Church Lane. The development is expected to bring over 1000 additional cars, assuming most households have at least two cars, all exiting through a single access road onto the A370.
3. Existing services in Backwell, such as schools, dentists, and doctors, are already oversubscribed and would struggle to accommodate the influx of people from this proposed development.
4. The development would further limit access to the local countryside by eliminating another area of green space around the village.
5. Despite mentioning a provision for a new Junior School, there is no indication of when or if it will be built, potentially being too late if it follows the occupation of the houses.
6. The proposed development is likely to have a negative impact on local wildlife and its habitat.
7. There are currently no plans to improve access to Nailsea & Backwell Station, which is already heavily used.
8. Station Road is already heavily congested and serves as the only local route to Nailsea. The additional traffic generated by this development could lead to gridlock.
9. The proposed development deviates from the Backwell Neighbourhood Plan, raising questions about the purpose of investing time in its construction if prospective developers disregard it.
10. The lack of information on the proportion of affordable homes in this development is concerning, especially considering North Somerset Council's guideline of 35%.

1. The proposed development will increase the size of Backwell by 25% which is the largest development since 1840. This is in addition to the 190 homes already approved which in themselves will add nearly 400 extra cars to the already congested roads.
The roads in and around Backwell are already heavily congested and were never designed to cope with the existing volume of traffic plus the the proposed BSIP will increase congestion on Church Lane by proposing to make Dark lane one way up. The proposed development will add over 1000 additional cars to the already congested roads, given that most household have at least two cars, and all will exit on to the A370 by one access road.
The services in Backwell, schools, dentist and doctors are already oversubscribed and will be unable to cope with the influx of people from this proposed development.
This would further restrict our access to the local countryside by removing another area of green space from around the village.
Although there is mention of provision for a new Junior School there is no indication of when or if this will be built. If it follows the occupation of the houses this will be too late.
The proposed development will have a negative impact on local wildlife and its habitat.
Currently there are no plans to improve access to Nailsea & Backwell Station which is already heavily used.
Station Road is already heavily congested and the only local route to Nailsea the additional volume of traffic generated by this development will cause grid lock.
I have lived in this village this village for over 50 years and value its size and layout. I have no wish to have it turned into a town.
This proposed development is not in the Backwell Neighbourhood Plan and I wonder why the village spent much time constructing this when it is just ignored by prospective developers.
There is no mention of the proportion of affordable homes in this development which according to North Somerset Council should be 35 per cent

From Monday, February 12, new major developments must prove they can improve biodiversity in habitats by at least 10 per cent before building can begin.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a planning approach that seeks to leave land in a measurably better state than it was before. It aims to improve biodiversity – the variety of animal and plant species, habitats and ecosystems on the planet.
BNG uses a metric created by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which measures biodiversity in units. This means planners and developers can speak the same language, and work together to make sure habitats are being created and improved in a meaningful and measurable way.
From this week plans for all major developments across England will need to demonstrate how they will deliver at least 10 per cent BNG.
Their plan will need to be approved by the local planning authority before any work on site can commence.

And from Wednesday, April 24, smaller developments across England will also need to meet these requirements.
BNG will affect land managers and developers, as well as local planning authorities.
Developers should try and maintain existing habitats on the land they’re planning to build on. When this isn’t possible, they should create a replacement habitat on the land they want to develop, or on other nearby land they own. This habitat must be maintained and monitored for at least 30 years.
If developers cannot create new habitats on land they own, they will need to buy replacement units from other providers.

Where there is no local provider, or the required type of units are not available, credits from central government can be purchased as a last resort.

The government will then use this money to create habitats elsewhere in the country.
In addition to other landowners, North Somerset Council is looking to offer its own BNG service, so developers can buy replacement units from the local authority.

Once details of the scheme have been finalised, more information will be available here www.n-somerset.gov.uk/bng.

National scheme to protect wildlife launched at Wraxall

North Somerset Council executive member for climate, waste and sustainability Annemieke Waite, is the Green Party ward councillor for Winford.
She said: “We’re committed to building a greener North Somerset, and Biodiversity Net Gain will help us make sure future developments are protecting and improving the environment, ensuring habitats thrive for years to come.
“It was a privilege to attend the legislation’s national launch at Belmont Estate in Wraxall.
"I was heartened that the scheme was launched in North Somerset, as great work in improving biodiversity is already underway in the region.
“I’m particularly excited to see what happens with North Somerset Council’s plan to introduce our own BNG scheme, which should benefit local land that we all use and enjoy.”
For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-housing-developments-to-deliver-nature-boost-in-landmark-move.

BACKWELL BUILDING 3: Nearly 1,000 comments - mostly against building 515 homes at Grove Farm, Backwell, - and only 48hrs left to add your objections HERE. This application has an impact on Nailsea roads, the railway station and more. PHOTOS TOP: Sadijaan Malikaph. The Netherton Grange images are from Nailsea People and were published four years ago

GOING UP: Two new developments images taken using a drone by photographer James Parsons. One is Miss Shepstone's field under construction at Trendlewood and renamed Bucklands Place, the other is the eco-friendly houses at Tickenham opposite The Star pub (currently closed and pending redevelopment plans) now completed

TIGHT SQUEEZE: A planning application for 3-bed and 2-bed detached starter homes on open land at Trendlewood Way has been submitted to North Somerset Council. Auction House London offered this small triangle next to Miss Shepstone's field (renamed Bucklands Place) in April 2023 with a guide price of £5,000. It said it had potential for two small bungalows and came with this warning 'Buyers are advised that a tree (Norway maple) on this site is subject to a TPO'. Read more here https://auctionhouselondon.co.uk/lot/land-adjacent-to-20-trendlewood-way-nailsea-bristol-avon-bs48-4ta-204565/.

There is also a planning application to convert vacant office premises at 45-47 High Street, Nailsea, into four one-bed flats - this is next to the Royal Oak pub in the row of terraced businesses.

Friday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 12
3.30-7.30pm both days Studio Hive will be displaying its latest Battleaxe redevelopment proposals, comment on North Somerset Council planning here https://rb.gy/dn9p48. The application summary says: Planning – Application Summ23/P/1704/FUL | Erection of a two storey rear extension to main building with solar panels on roof for use as office; retention of ancillary bed & breakfast accommodation and part retention of licenced space, change of use of remainder to multi-use business and local community hub (including office and flexible work/collaboration/shop/cafe space falling within use class E and F(2)). Erection of a retail 'pod' building; conversion of stables to 1no.retail unit and garages; refurbishment of boundary walls and out-buildings, hard and soft landscaping, circulation and car and cycle parking. Erection 6no. terraced houses, 2no. mews house and 1no. coach house (9no dwellings) | Battleaxes Inn Bristol Road Wraxall BS48 1LQ Here is the Studio Hive page but you need a password to view https://www.thebattleaxesdevelopmentwraxall.co.uk/proposals

A five bed character home which in part dates back to 18th century and sits in a 1/4 acre is on the market with Hensons.
With what are believed to be pre Georgian origins the grand property features formal rooms and later wings that combine to create a substantial house of considerable charm.
With an attractive classic period façade this home has been loved and cared for by its present owners for many decades.
Allendale in Silver Street boasts an elegant reception hall, conservatory style porch, reception hall with staircase to galleried landing and three separate reception rooms.
The drawing room is exceedingly well proportioned and takes advantage of a double aspect over the lawns with a broad bay window allowing an outlook to the west.
The delightful sitting room is again dual aspect and mostly faces south and opens to a flagstone terrace with the main lawn beyond.
The dining room has a less formal air and is quite atmospheric with deep sill windows overlooking the ‘secret garden’ exposed beams and at one end a small inglenook style fireplace.
The farmhouse style kitchen breakfast room is much larger than the dimensions suggest with fitted Aga stands.
Guide Price of £795,000 - £995,000
http://www.hbe.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property/12272881-silver-street-nailsea

5-bed character home with history

TRENDLEWOOD SITE SAVED: Nailsea Action Group (NAG) annual meeting at the Grove Sports Centre and Social Club was due to discuss the planning application for two houses on this small triangle foa site at Trendlewood Way with a TPO on the large tree and a public footpath running along its boundary leading to a private house. However, its AGM has been postponed. New date to be announced. A NAG spokesperson said: "The meeting’s theme will be how to defend our public open green spaces."

Praxis Real Estate Management Ltd is selling its lease on Crown Glass Shopping Centre with 'price on application'.

Rightmove is offering the 'retail property shopping centre to lease'.

Or it could just be a clever marketing ploy to rent the empty units?

It says the centre 'dominates the provision of the retail in the town, comprising approximately 90,000 sq ft of shops and 190 free car parking spaces. National multiples such as Waitrose, Boots, Costa Coffee and WH Smith are complemented by excellent independent businesses; there are also frequent and successful arts and farmers markets. The town has a resident population of over 15,000, but draws from a far wider shopper population from surrounding wealthy villages'.

It makes no mention of maintenance issues and empty units in the blurb.

To download the brochure on empty shops click HERE.

The freehold is believed to be owned by a Canadian teachers' pension fund.

Praxis recently held secret talks with North Somerset Council planners about reviving building a budget supermarket in the car park.

Praxis describes itself as 'a boutique, privately owned investor and manager of UK commercial real estate with a heritage and pedigree that dates back over four decades'.

The brochure shows Barnados charity shop earmarked for the former Orchards furniture store at Somerset Square but the newly reestablished Nailsea Fruit & Veg shop boss told Nailsea People he was struggling to pay his rent and didn't know if he could carry on much longer as business in the perishable trade wasn't good.

Is Nailsea shopping precinct for sale?

SHOPS FOR SALE: Read more on the Rightmove website HERE

Praxis has:

15 SHOPPING CENTRES ACROSS UK
61 MILLION ANNUAL FOOTFALL
683 RETAIL UNITS

A local property developer has put a price tage of £13m if the whole of Nailsea shopping precinct is for sale.

In the 1980s when it was owned by Avon County Council an impoverished town council was asked it wanted to buy the shopping centre for £1m.

It was a time when councils couldn't borrow money.

The brochure has confirmed that another charity shop going in Orchards though, McDonalds arrival seems questionable after they pulled out of a similar application in Midsomer Norton because they couldn't have a drive-through.

North Somerset Council is undertaking another round of consultation on its draft Local Plan. This is set to take place during the summer.

The council began preparing a new Local Plan for North Somerset in 2020. This document identifies where development can and cannot take place in the area, and guides investment for new housing, jobs, transport and community facilities in North Somerset over the next 15 years.

The plan has been shaped by the responses received during four phases of public consultation between 2020 and 2024.

During consultation, the government published changes to national planning guidance which impacts how local plans are assessed in relation to the housing requirement and approach to the use of Green Belt.

Due to these changes, the council has set a housing target of 14,902 homes over the plan period.

This figure is lower than the government’s standard method target calculation for the area, but has been calculated as the amount of housing required to meet the needs of the area’s growing population.

Having carefully considered the options, along with the responses received, the council has decided to repeat the last six-week consultation phase.

By doing this, the Local Plan can then be assessed by an independent examiner against the new guidance.

Ahead of the consultation’s launch in the summer, North Somerset Council executive committee will meet in June to consider a revised version of the Local Plan that incorporates the latest feedback.

North Somerset Council executive member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy Mark Canniford is the Liberal Democrats ward councillor for Weston-super-Mare Hillside.

He said: “Since 2020 we’ve been working hard to create a Local Plan that reflects the needs of our communities.

"We remain committed to adopting this as soon as possible.

Local plan - more delays

“By rerunning the last consultation phase, we can hear from the public again and make sure the Local Plan is assessed against the latest national policy position.

"Getting the views of the local community has been hugely important in shaping the plan, and I’d like to thank everyone who has had their say so far.

“While the delay is unfortunate, it does give us the opportunity to take people’s feedback on board from the last consultation phase and make further adjustments to the Local Plan.”

Three Olives Garden, Station Road, Nailsea
This is a prestigious detached five-bed home in distrinctive Nailsea enclave for sale with Hensons for offers in the region of £1,150,000.
The house boasts a bespoke oak kitchen with custom-built larder, utility and downstairs cloakroom.
As well as the open plan kitchen, dining room and family room there is a separate study and large airy sitting room.
Upstairs are five double bedrooms, two with high spec en suite shower rooms plus a family bathroom.
Set in an established private walled garden neighbouring an ancient monument the house boasts an outdoor cabin for use as a retreat, home office or games/play room.
The double garage has remote-controlled electric door, lighting and power.
The property which is 21 years old has undergone a series of enhancements including high performance anodised aluminium double-glazed windows and an about to be installed lacquered copper front door.
Also included are additional energy-saving measures and Aquitiere water filtration system.
This fine property in an exclusive gated community of three houses is offered with no forward chain.

To download the brochure click HERE or contact the estate agents details top.

£1m+ 5-bed home

North Somerset Council planners have given the green light to new homes in Backwell.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley were successful in their reserved matters planning application, meaning they can soon commence construction to bring 90 high-quality, much-needed new homes to the village on land at Farleigh Fields.

27 of these homes will be transferred to a local housing association, helping alleviate pressure on the council’s 2,600-strong housing waiting list, while the approval also includes provision of an additional six self-build plots.

The Section 106 agreement will deliver public open space, ecological buffer, equipped play area, ecological enhancements as part of the wildlife area within the adjacent local green space, and financial contributions for bus stop improvements, sustainable travel, improvements to existing public rights of way crossing the local green space, and a car club.

Additionally, Persimmon will make a Community Infrastructure Levy payment more than £500,000 to support the implementation of the scheme.

The five-star developer has also been active in the area recently with a donation to Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club as part of its Community Champions scheme, which sees £700,000 donated to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain every year.

Persimmon Valley Severn Valley technical director Joshua Ashwin said:

“We are pleased to have secured reserved planning permission to deliver 90 new homes for local people in Backwell.

“Our scheme will not only deliver market homes and properties for a local housing association, but public open space, ecological enhancements, a playground, and financial contributions to local services.

Nearly 100 new homes for Farleigh Fields

“We are determined to deliver a positive and lasting legacy in every area we build, and we are proud our new development will help open up the dream of homeownership to local families.”

2023

The climate crisis is continually worsening across the globe as global heating persistently rises. In the UK, our national pledge to become Net Zero by 2050 relies heavily on our ability to decarbonise our homes.

With some of the oldest homes in the world and worst insulated in Europe, UK homes lose heat three times faster than that in Norway and Germany, producing 16 per cent of our overall emissions each year and costing huge amounts to heat.

Tackling efficiency in homes is therefore a priority to achieve our environmental commitments.

Stonewood Homes is taking the lead on sustainable housing with the construction of Elm Grove – 52 Passivhaus homes on The Uplands, Nailsea, – setting the standard for low carbon living in the South West.
Passivhaus is an internationally recognised and world-leading standard for energy-efficient construction and design.

It utilises a ‘fabric-first’ approach where emphasis is on the building’s materials and quality of construction before considering sustainable technologies.

Passivhaus buildings retain heat thanks to their thick insulation, almost total airtightness, mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems (MVHR) and positioning to the sun, which reduces their energy demand by up to 90 per cent.

Solar panels and battery storage also supply the house with green electricity.
With lower energy demands, Passivhaus homes reduce the nation’s call for fossil fuels which in turn reduces the burden on our planet.

They’re Net Zero Ready, meaning they’re futureproofed to the Net Zero transition and can run solely on clean, renewable electricity.
There are economic benefits too: with significantly lower energy demand comes significantly lower energy bills, offering resilience to homeowners in the face of unstable electricity prices.

Passivhaus homes also provide social benefits to homeowners: they have

superior air quality that’s filtered and pollutant free – an important factor in the face of rising air pollution, and valuable to those suffering with respiratory health issues.

Furthermore, the ability of a Passivhaus to regulate and maintain internal temperatures will provide further resilience as the summers get hotter.
The emergence of larger-scale Passivhaus schemes in the UK represents a welcome and necessary shift towards sustainable development.

Having one of the UK’s largest mixed-tenure Passivhaus developments in Nailsea puts the town at the forefront of low-carbon living.

Artists' impression of The Uplands, Nailsea

Net Zero homes coming to Nailsea

This month marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for Southwest estate agency network, The Experts in Property, with a change of chairmanship.

North Somerset property specialist and trusted industry authority, Andrew Simmonds of Parker’s Estate Agents in Backwell, takes over from Cornwall-based former estate agent, Steve Moir as chairman of the ‘super group.

A qualified surveyor, RICS registered valuer and member of ARLA, NAEA, NAVA and the IRPM, Andrew has spent more than two decades working in the property sector and co-hosts a monthly property podcast that serves as an industry benchmark.

Andrew said: “I’m excited to have been elected to take the role as chairman of the Experts in Property.

"It’s a great organisation and Steve has done a fantastic job.

"We’re all very sad to see him leave and wish him all the best for his retirement.”

The well-known network of independent estate agents was established in 1980 with member offices across Cornwall, Devon and West Dorset.

In 2013, it launched its Distinctly Westcountry brand and expanded into Somerset and Bristol.

Now, branches as far north as South Gloucestershire, and eastward to Ringwood and Christchurch are members, expanding the in-office and online marketing exposure for client’s properties even further.

The non-profit making organisation is run by the agents, for the agents, supported by one paid member of staff.

Most offices are family-run, and each has a local reputation to protect and uphold.

By working together, every agency offers property for sale throughout the region, and house-hunters in any area have a local office to visit – so, someone living in Bristol can pop to their local office to talk about homes for sale in St Ives or Bournemouth, for example.

Steve was the ‘Moir’ in Saltash estate agency Hennings Moir, which opened in 1984 and came under new ownership when Steve retired from estate agency in 2018.

Chairman of the network from 2001 ‘till 2006, Steve once again took to the

New property expert chairman

helm in 2009 and has remained in the post even since retiring from agency.

Now, however, after 14 years in the role, he has hung up his hat and intends to enjoy full retirement.

As well as the extensive marketing prowess for property, one of the most valuable benefits of membership is the network’s excellent training programme.

Arranged and hosted by the Experts in Property with a wide range of courses delivered by some of the industry’s leading trainers, the programme is designed to ensure principals and their staff stay apace with ever-changing legislation and market conditions, to continue being the best in the business.

To search for property for sale across the Southwest, visit www.theexpertsinproperty.co.uk.

To find out how your property marketing can reach more buyers, find your nearest branch at www.theexpertsinproperty.co.uk/agents-directory.

Builders Barratt Homes Bristol joins in the festive fun in Nailsea by kicking off the Christmas period in style with a jolly meet the neighbour event at its Parish Brook development.
The sing-song, held around the showhomes and sales arena, saw more than 70 residents and the wider community come together for the carols.
The atmosphere was filled with the aroma of freshly served mulled cider, hot chocolate and cakes provided by independent Into Coffee.
Adding a musical touch to the festivities was Holy Trinity church choir.
All proceeds raised during the event were dedicated to the Stroke Association, Barratt Homes Bristol’s charity of the year.
Barratt Homes Bristol sales director Andrea Pilgrim said: “It was great to warmly welcome so many new families and residents into our thriving new community and come together to celebrate the festivities.
“For many, this will be their first Christmas at the development and this event provided the perfect backdrop to properly introduce themselves to one another and start new friendships.
"Community is at the heart of our developments and we are so grateful for the residents who participated in the festive activities”

Parish Brook, off Engine Lane, offers a range of two, three and four-bedroom high quality and energy efficient homes.

This new community on the edge of the North Somerset countryside is the perfect location for first time buyers, downsizers or commuters with great access to the M5 and Nailsea & Backwell train station.

Property people

Backwell is a village

A haunted Nailsea cottage for auction

The numbers game

For sale

Developer goes door-to-door...

Back on market

Farleigh Fields build 'on hold'

Learning skills on Nailsea building site

Selling, renting it is all here

Barratt Homes support counselling charity

Parkland marketed in small plots

wrong

£1 million+ building land for sale Nailsea

A green belt development

Nailsea arts and craft house for sale

Why Nailsea Junior Football Club support this development

More homes north of Nailsea

Miss Shepstone's legacy

Oh! Ashmead you are so fine

On Nailsea planning agenda

London calling

More urbanisation of Nailsea

First time buyers

Heating from underfloor coal seam?

COMPETITION: to name new Nailsea tower block

Tickenham road talks

New flash: Deposit-free mortgage

Build a house on Backwell hillside

COMPETITION: to name new Nailsea tower block

Now you see it

Like Topsy Nailsea keeps growing

Parker's Estate Agency news

Land clearance fears for wildlife

Annual report from Hensons

the High Street property people

meet the team feature

Children's colouring competition to celebrate Parker's grand re-opening

More new neighbours

Nailsea Town Council calling a public meeting to kick plans into long grass

Bird's-eye view of Bucklands

London auction houses selling play area + road

Estate agent sponsors new VIP shirts

Country living

Topping flat plans

Bid to build on 'lush farm fields' home to beef herd

Fighting development on all fronts

failed to sell at july auction

Broadly speaking

For sale former village bakery and sweet shop

Room for 2 bungalows here

Goliath planning battle sees Nailsea v Gleeson

For the growing family

To buy or not to buy, that is the question?

SOLD £14,000 at auction

New 2nd and 3rd floor flats

The Uplands flatpack homes

Plans to build on Nailsea car park

THWARTED PLANS: The new proposal for the edge of Somerset Square with food store and community hub

Backwell is getting bigger

Households need annual income of nearly £90,000 to afford average priced house

Vistry has a Nailsea vision

Vistry vision for 2025

2024

North Somerset Local Plan 2039

Building in Backwell 1

Building in Backwell 2

National scheme to protect wildlife launched at Wraxall

5-bed character home with history

Is Nailsea shopping precinct for sale?

Local plan - more delays

£1m+ 5-bed home

Nearly 100 new homes for Farleigh Fields

2023

Net Zero homes coming to Nailsea

New property expert chairman

Good neighbours sing carols

Goliath planning battle
sees Nailsea v Gleeson