NAILSEA
PEOPLE
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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
2020
Nailsea Action Group spokesman Antony Evans says residents living on commuter routes are selling up fearing traffic chaos when more homes being built on the edge of the town.
He said: “In the past two years, there has been a large number of houses up for sale along the Clevedon Road in Tickenham which is the main route for traffic from the Nailsea area to the M5.
“At one point there were 20 ‘for sale’ boards up.
“Similarly, in North Street, Nailsea, at the bottom end of Engine Lane, there have been many houses for sale in recent weeks.
“I suggest that this a direct consequence of the current and prospective traffic flows along these roads."
At a recent town council planning committee meeting in a public forum on Zoom a West End resident said using the Tickenham road was preferable to using a ratrun through their hamlet or Chelvey.
Mr Evans added: “Nailsea Town Council published a Vision For The Town back in 2018, but this either needs formulating into a plan of action in order to achieve the aspirations of that vision, and/or a co-ordinated strategic overview and lay-out of how the ingredients will fit together and in what sequence in order to avoid a continuation of piecemeal, hand to mouth planning.
“In the next year or two it is likely, for example, that the south-west corner of Nailsea will be wrapped round by new housing developments, and the green open spaces lost for ever thereby:
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168 off Youngwood Lane in the first phase, possibly rising to 450 in subsequent phases; and
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54 south of The Uplands and 171 houses off Engine Lane.
“Nailsea Town Council has always opposed the development on Youngwood Lane, but the government inspector’s judgement that planning can take place there effectively overrules this and North Somerset Council’s original opposition.
“As to The Uplands the voting to recommend building was 4 for, 6 against, and two abstentions.
“In 2016, by a very tiny majority (a casting vote in fact) the town council voted to sell its land off Engine Lane for development.
“The agreed contract, however, has not been concluded yet, and some of the residents claim that, if that does not take place for another couple of years, when inflation is taken into account and certain financial constraints are reduced, Nailsea Town Council would benefit from a significantly increased price.
“What tends not to be considered sufficiently fully is the cumulative effect of these plans.
“This responsibility, it has to be said, does not rest solely at Nailsea Town Council’s door, as it is only empowered to make recommendations to North Somerset Council which, in its turn, can choose to ignore Nailsea’s suggestions.
“This suggests that there is a pressing need for more working together, or more evidence of it if it is already happening, to craft together a plan from the ingredients. “These might include:
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a realistic assessment of what the housing needs really are and how, where and for whom they are to be met;
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how many houses will be genuinely ‘affordable’;
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the impact of the consequential and cumulative effects of increased traffic within, and in and out of the town, and how the infrastructure will be changed to accommodate this;
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what and where the new local employment opportunities that are supposed to be a condition for new houses in an area, will be;
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in the light of the proposed housing developments, how and where better green open space will be provided to make up for the many acres lost – not just putting in a little park within a housing estate; and
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how the much publicised, and now seemingly relegated, Climate Emergency Plan will be realistically implemented.
“More and more, the importance of green open space is being emphasised locally and nationally, not least for physical and mental health and well-being.
“Portentous proclamations on the matter from governments present and past seem to come to nothing or very little at local level – where the people are.
“Especially now, at this challenging time, it is so easy to say ‘well, what can I do about it?’.
“It is a collective responsibility, so I hope readers of Nailsea People will continue to write, email, discuss and attempt to persuade those that hold the reins of power to act swiftly and together, not just for the people of Nailsea, but also for similarly affected communities in North Somerset, unless we want to see through no one organisation’s particular fault, what seems like continued uncertainty, muddle, blame and buck passing.”
To learn more about the campaigning of NAG clcik HERE.
There's a house for sale
Alice in Wonderland territory, says MP
North Somerset Council has compiled a summary from the Challenges and Choices Part 1 Local Plan consultation.
This goes towards compiling a blueprint for future building in our area.
With plans afoot to increase the size of Nailsea by 3,000 new homes by 2036, hundreds of residents voiced their opinions.
You can read the summary in full HERE.
Contents include its purpose and how it conducted the consultation.
It asked several main questions:
Question 1: What are your hopes and fears about having new development near where you live?
Question 2: What changes over the next 15 years do you think will affect how we need to plan for residents, businesses and communities?
Question 3: Are you concerned that climate change may impact you or your family, business or local community in the future? And if so in what way?
Question 4: How should we plan for how you and your family will work in the future, or the future needs of your business?
Question 5: What sort of types and sizes of houses do you think will be needed for your community in the future?
Question 6: What do you think makes a good community?
Question 7. Do you agree with these suggestions for what sustainable development might look like? Are there any others which are important to you?
Question 8. We have come to value our local footpaths and green spaces more since Covid-19. How can we ensure that future residents benefit from access to green spaces?
Question 9: Should we be thinking about adjusting the Green Belt boundary if necessary?
Question 10: The previous sections set out the six challenges that we feel the Local Plan should address. Are there any other challenges you feel we need to address through the Local Plan?
Question 11: In light of the world we now live in, is this vision still appropriate for the future?
Question 12. Do these reflect your aims, those of your family, community or business?
Question 13: Have we identified the right priorities and are there any missing, which do you think are the most important and why?
The new Local Plan will shape how North Somerset grows and develops in the coming decades.
It will guide housing, jobs and business investment, transport, community facilities and supporting infrastructure in the area until 2038.
Hundreds of comments were received about the 56 sites which have been put forward as potential development locations; North Somerset MP Liam Fox secured a House of Commons adjournment debate on his concern about building in flood plains and residents expressed their fears about traffic levels on roads around and through villages especially Tickenham with a call for a new road between the M5 Junction 20 at Clevedon and Bristol Airport.
Concern was split between pushing ahead with the Local Plan to set new housing targets vs slowing down the process to ensure the draft Planning White Paper outcomes can be fully incorporated.
Some respondents felt that the plan period should be extended and take full account of housing need including Bristol unmet need while some respondents felt that growth isn’t compatible with climate change objectives and full account needs to be taken of the constraints such as AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty), flooding (which may be more pervasive than predicted).
Many found the consultation portal difficult to use and there was a call for more direct engagement and while some welcomed the straightforward language and the way the document was presented others thought it was too long and cumbersome.
The next stage of the consultation is the Challenges and Choices Part 2: Choices for the Future.
Response need to be submitted by Monday, December 14.
You can access the consultation documents HERE.
Nailsea Action Group is challenging plans to build unsuitable housing in the wrong areas and Tickenham Road Action Group has been formed to influence authorities in the development of new road schemes impacting its village.
Taylor Wimpey homes on horizon
Nailsea is due to get 2,575 new homes in the next 16 years and is earmarked for another 725 plus soon after this date.
But exactly where they are going and when is not set in concrete because the latest North Somerset Local Plan hasn’t formally been adopted and still has a way to go.
A consultation ended in September 2020 and more than 60 Nailsea residents voiced their opinions online – it was the usual commuter traffic, social cohesion, fear of rising crime and lack of local amenities arguments.
But while many are conscious they are living in homes built in the 1950-60s on green fields that once surrounded a small Somerset village the thought of thousands more incomers and the loss of even more countryside is a little unpalatable.
However, having said that our shops could do with more customers and our amazing schools do have falling rolls.
What Nailsea has going for it is a fantastic community spirit and its countryside location which no-one wants to jeopardise.
Nearly everyone wants young people to have access to affordable houses that allows them to remain in their hometown but judging by past decisions by planners and developers no one trusts those with the most sway to get it right. Floodplains and protected bats not withstanding!
In the 1970-80s the new roads had no footpaths, it was mostly rows of terraced boxes and nothing much for the new families and youth to do – we even had a New Year riot in the town!
Then they built the five-bed timber-framed Scandinavian homes in Rickford Road which sold in a jiffy and developers realised there was a market for posh places.
The first 2020 planning application to be decided is for 54 houses on land to the south of the Uplands.
Everyone thought it was public open space and even the landowner North Somerset Council describes it as ‘amenity area’ on old maps it is perhaps a little underused especially in the summer when the adders like to bask in the sunshine on the stone walls.
This application comes on top of the approved outline applications for 171 houses for Engine Lane on land owned in the main by Nailsea Town Council and 450 houses on Youngwood Lane all within metres of each other.
Nailsea Action Group (N.A.G.) was established at the end of 2015 originally to promote and protect Nailsea’s rural setting particular at its interface with the countryside around it.
During the past three years its objectives have broadened into campaigning that, if and when the planned additional 3,000+ homes are built in and around the town, there will be sufficient appropriate and sustainable infrastructure to support them that the working, living and ecological environment is not only protected but enhanced and that there is access to green spaces (especially where much may disappear) to maintain not least the quality of the air we breathe, but also for the benefit of physical and psychological health.
N.A.G supports Nailsea Town Council in its wish for an integrated 'masterplan' for Nailsea's future.
This would include its aim to:
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re-balance the age distribution of the town's population;
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utilise long vacated modern buildings in the town centre currently owned by Weston College;
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seek the development of the long derelict brownfield Coates site; and
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adjust the Green Belt so that future development can be distributed around the town evenly thereby improving existing imbalances.
NAILSEA PHOTOS: From top proposed housing sites at Youngwood Lane, Engine Lane, bridlepath to The Uplands, The Perrings bungalows, derelict Weston College which was an option for Tyntesfield Medical Centre move
So sticking hundreds of houses on the edge of Nailsea towards Clevedon doesn’t really make sense but the east of the town towards Wraxall is protected by Green Belt.
And while we are on the subject of additional building Linden Homes wish to build 195 homes behind Causeway View between the football ground and Watery Lane and developers have expressed the intention to submit applications to build 600 homes between Clevedon Road and Bristol Road.
Then there is the sloping land to the east of Youngwood Lane at its junction with The Perrings for 14 houses behind the bungalows.
The first of the big detailed planning applications for Phase One at Youngwood Lane and Netherton Wood Lane went to North Somerset Council this week.
It is for 168 dwelling.
So, while we were all worrying about the impact of the 54 new homes at The Uplands and a few more off The Perrings guess what? Taylor Wimpey submitted 80 documents to build 168 dwellings including 50 ‘affordable housing units’ ranging from one bed flats to four bed houses with rent and shared ownership options.
There is a further 282 properties to come in Phase Two and Phase Three with new highways routes and ponds on the farmland off Youngwood Lane/Netherton Lane.
You can download a map of the proposed site showing where the homes and roads are going HERE.
There is a proviso also for safeguarding a future link road to god knows where – M5? Tickenham residents will be pleased but West End(ers) will be worried.
Read more on the North Somerset Council website HERE.
THANK YOU: A happy new owner sends a thank you card and chocolates to staff at Hunters celebrating selling 36 homes in one day through its Yatton office. Call 01275 544477 or email nailsea@hunters.com
People to live in green houses
Householders in North Somerset are set to benefit from a new energy-saving scheme.
The government Green Homes Grant can pay at least two-thirds of the cost of home improvements that save energy with a maximum cut-off of £5,000.
North Somerset Council executive member whose portfolio includes climate change Bridget Petty said: “This grant is a good opportunity for residents to access funding to improve the thermal comfort of their homes, save money and reduce carbon emissions.
"I would urge residents to act now as the work has to be completed by March 2021; do let family, friends and neighbours know about the scheme and what a great way to contribute to the climate emergency challenge."
Homeowners and landlords can apply for a voucher towards the cost of installing energy efficient and low-carbon heating improvements to their homes, which could help save up to £600 a year on energy bills.
A higher level of subsidy (£10,000) is available for households in receipt of a qualifying benefits and can cover 100 per cent of the cost of the improvements.
The scheme is administered online through the Simple Energy Advice service at https://www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/pages/green-homes-grant and residents are encouraged to find out about the scheme and the eligibility criteria.
Not all types of work are eligible, so it's really important for residents to check before committing to any work or paying a deposit or other costs.
Work can only be carried out by accredited suppliers through the Trustmark scheme and the council is warning people to be on their guard against rogue traders who may try to capitalise on the scheme. This could take many forms including making false or exaggerated statements about the value of the subsidy, quality and extent of work covered and say the council will fund the balance.
Mrs Petty, who is the Backwell ward councillor, added: "Don’t agree to work from cold-callers.
“Rogue traders will try to convince you that they operate within the Green Homes scheme.
“They will rush you into a decision and may ask for initial payments up front, perhaps even falsely claiming that they are working for the council or a government agency.
“Don’t let rogue traders mislead you!"
As part of the genuine scheme you will need to obtain your own tradesman from an approved list.
You also need to apply for a voucher and get approval first before getting any work done. The Simple Energy Advice Service is there to provide help and guidance on this process.
Local plan update
To read in full this first article scroll down
Local people, particularly those aged under 30, are being urged to have their say and join an important consultation being run by North Somerset Council.
North Somerset youth advocate Huw James, aged 24, is the Liberal Democrat councillor for Portishead South ward.
He is calling for more young people to join the Local Plan 2038 Challenges consultation, before the closing date of Wednesday,September 2.
The new Local Plan will shape how North Somerset grows and develops in the next 15 years and beyond.
Cllr James said: “This is our future. We need to make sure young people are part of the conversation and proportionally represented in the development of North Somerset’s new Local Plan.
“For a Local Plan to work, it needs to tackle the issues and problems faced by young people. That’s exactly why this first stage of consultation focuses on the challenges the new Local Plan needs to address.
“We need to hear from more of our residents aged under 30, who might not yet have their own home or a family of their own, but will over the next 10-20 years.”
The number of new homes which must be planned for in North Somerset is determined by central government.
Zoom in to have your say
Nailsea Action Group is inviting supporters to a virtual meeting on Thursday, August 20, at 7.30pm to discuss North Somerset’s Local Plan 2038.
The new Local Plan will shape how North Somerset grows and develops in the coming decades. It will guide housing, jobs and business investment, transport, community facilities and supporting infrastructure in the area for the next 18 years.
To join the Zoom meeting go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83026157394…
Meeting ID: 830 2615 7394
Passcode: 893659
Phone +44 203 051 2874 United Kingdom
You can join via your computer or phone using the details above.
The new Local Plan will shape how North Somerset grows to meet these targets, as well as guide the jobs, transport, community facilities and supporting infrastructure required.
The online consultation runs until Wednesday, September 2, at:
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/newlocalplan.
The responses received to this summer’s consultation will guide the next stage of creating the North Somerset Local Plan, which will focus on the choices around the location of future development.
To take part go to the link above and look out for updates on the council’s social media.
Final Nailsea flat for sale...
There is just one apartment left to sell on the Bucklands Retirement Living development at Stockway South, Nailsea, built by McCarthy and Stone.
This over 60s complex on the site of the old police station is offering its last unit a two-bed apartment with balcony at £399,950.
Rental and part-buy part-rent options are also available.
Built on the site of the old police station Avon & Somerset Constabulary put a ‘for sale’ board outside the town centre building in September 2014.
Work began on the town centre 22 one bed and 18 two bed apartments in 2017 when the officers moved to new accommodation at Pound Lane.
Pictured is demolition day when the bulldozers moved in October 2017.
McCarthy and Stone South divisional marketing manager Nicki Beswarick said: "Since we first opened the doors to Bucklands it has been a real success story.
"The development has struck a chord with discerning retirees who are looking to make the most of the freedom and independence of their retirement years while also experiencing the quality of life that comes from downsizing within Nailsea.
“As availability continues to become limited, we are urging all those who are interested in being part of this exclusive Retirement Living community to act without delay and book a visit to Bucklands.”
McCarthy and Stone’s Retirement Living communities are thoughtfully-designed exclusively for the over 60s to provide the very best in modern,
independent living within a safe and secure environment, says the advertising blurb..
Residents at Bucklands can make the most of the beautiful landscaped gardens, knowing all the maintenance is taken care of.
They can also feel secure in the knowledge that the House Manager is on hand to provide any help or support should they need it.
To find out more about Bucklands, please contact McCarthy and Stone on 0800 3100 383 or visit www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk.
What's next for Nailsea
While we have been in lockdown developers haven't gone away and now North Somerset Council has relaunched its Local Plan 2038 consultation for people to have their say - however, what notice will be taken we don't know?
For Nailsea the number one priority is to protected our beautiful countryside in a realistic way so that people of all ages can find somewhere to live at an affordable price.
Local people, community groups and businesses are being urged to help shape North Somerset’s future by getting involved in the development of North Somerset Council’s new Local Plan for the area.
The new Local Plan will shape how North Somerset grows and develops in the coming decades.
It will guide housing, jobs and business investment, transport, community facilities and supporting infrastructure in the area until 2038.
The first stage of consultation in the development of the new plan began on Wednesday, July 22, and focuses on the challenges faced in North Somerset and the issues the new plan needs to address, such as the climate emergency and how to provide the right type and number of houses and create new communities.
North Somerset Council executive member for planning and transport James Tonkin who is the independent ward councillor Nailsea West End said: “I know that the idea of growth can be very worrying for people, but this is our opportunity to plan for new homes of the right type, at an affordable price, in the right places, to meet the needs of the people who live here now and in future.
“The new North Somerset Local Plan will shape investment and funding for the infrastructure which will support not only new homes, but also workplaces and community facilities for the next 15 years and beyond.
“There will be many other opportunities to get involved and have your say in future but the time to really influence the development of the new Local Plan for North Somerset is now.”
Engine Lane, Youngwood Lane and The Uplands are all proposed for house building and an idea has been muted for years of a road linking the A370 with the M5.
Some believe a green barrier will be protected between Nailsea and Backwell while others aren't so sure.
Watch the district council video to learn more.
A full online consultation will run for the six-week period until Wednesday, September 2, at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/newlocalplan
The online consultation will be supported by regular questions across the council’s social media to spark discussion and encourage feedback.
All replies made on council-run social media profiles will be analysed and added to the online consultation responses.
The responses received to this summer’s consultation will guide the next stage of creating the North Somerset Local Plan, which will focus on the choices around the location of future development.
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Trendlewood semi-detached
Beautiful rural 2-bed bungalow
This well presented three bedroom semi detached family home is in the popular location of Trendlewood of Nailsea with good access to local amenities and the trainway station.
The accommodation on the ground floor comprises of a welcoming hall with access to the L shaped living room with dining or study area.
At the rear of the property is a 17ft fitted kitchen with access to the rear garden. On the first floor is the three bedrooms and refitted modern family bathroom suite.
Outside to the front of the property is a lawn area with some mature shrubs/trees, pathway leading to the front door and gated side access.
To the rear the garden is mainly laid to lawn with various flower and shrub borders.
Offered with a guide price of £305,000 for further information click HERE.
A beautifully presented detached bungalow at Downside Road offering well established generous gardens to both the front and rear.
Situated in popular location with easy access to Bristol city centre and Bristol Airport.
This wonderful property offers an entrance hallway, two double bedrooms, modern fitted three piece bathroom, fantastic living room with French doors leading directly onto the gardens, open plan through to a well fitted kitchen/diner.
Outside there is also a single garage and an additional store room/workshop.
Properties in this location and condition are of a rare find. We strongly advise an internal inspection.
Priced at £375,000 for further information click HERE.
SOLD!!
The conversion of an empty 1960s office block in Nailsea into 56 apartments is nearly complete.
In October 2017 the three-storey building on the B3130 towards Wraxall was sold to property developers for £2 million. See original story here.
Currently the new homes are being advertised at prices from £150,000 for a one-bed and £195,000 for a two-bed flat.
Several of the properties are already sold.
Coates House is on the site of the old cider factory.
Super modern with hi-tech fittings one problem has been some of the new owners have found their removal van heading for the High Street pub – also called Coates House!
We blame lack of local knowledge for the duplication of names like the Bucklands retirement development on the old police station site.
Nailsea has seven places in the town with that name tag
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Garages to be replaced with social housing
Council owned garages at French Close, Nailsea, could be knocked down to build new homes.
The 20 garages are owned by North Somerset Council have been rented to residents living in the area.
Now a community-based social housing group want to develop the site for properties to let or buy.
Alliance Homes is holding a site meeting on Tuesday, February 11, from 3-6pm to talk to interested neighbours.
A planning application to North Somerset Council is set to be submitted 'soon' for four three-bed ‘apartments’ and if approved the intention is to start building later this year.
Spokesman Eve Hughes said: “Our scheme has been designed to support and develop the area and careful landscape planning has been included.
And she assured neighbours that once building work begins measures to negate ‘noise and disruption’ would be in place.
Alliance Homes own and manage approximately 6,500 homes and employ 500 staff in the West of England and has an annual turnover of £43 million.
It works in partnership with local, regional and national agencies.
Alliance Homes, formerly North Somerset Housing, were responsible for building nine homes on the abandonned play area off Whitesfield Road which was completed in the summer of 2013.
PRICE REDUCTION
Extended home with 4 bedrooms
Link bungalow &
no ongoing chain
Hunters is pleased to offer for sale this detached spacious property which has been extended to the rear and will make a lovely family home.
Located in the West End part of Nailsea within walking distance to local amenities.
Not far from neighbouring towns of Clevedon, Portishead and the city of Bristol.
Nailsea has access to good public bus and train transport.
The accommodation comprises of an entrance hall, WC/cloakroom, living room, dining room and L-shaped kitchen.
On the first floor there is access to the loft space, four bedrooms and a family size bathroom.
Outside, the front has a well kept lawn, mature hedging and trees, a driveway has parking for up to three cars which leads to a single garage and the rear enclosed garden offers a greenhouse, garden shed, outside tap, patio area, well kept lawn with an array of flowers, shrubs and trees. EPC D this North Street property is on the market for £415,000.
Viewing is strongly recommended.
For more information click HERE.
This well proportioned staggered 'link detached' bungalow offers two double bedrooms and large lounge/dining room.
There is a utility room off the kitchen which is fitted with a range of wall and a window overlooking front garden.
It is located a short walk to Nailsea town centre with all local shops and amenities including library.
The west facing enclosed rear garden is not only of good size but also offer a high degree of privacy with direct access to the garage.
Offered with no ongoing chain we would highly recommend a viewing of this Coombe Road property.
For more information click HERE.
FOR SALE SOON
Doctors for sale
Planning permission to knock down Brockway Medical Centre and build flats has been giving the go-ahead.
Three years ago, Brockway Medical Centre along with Nailsea Family Practice based at Towerhouse and the surgery at Long Ashton merged to become Tyntesfield Medical Group.
North Somerset Council gave outline permission for the demolition of existing medical centre and erection of a three-storey building containing eight apartments at the end of January.
This means the doctors can sell Brockway and look to relocate.
Word on the street strongly suggests it will be onto part of the old Weston College site – where it originally began life.
The new 15 partner strong practice was formed to look after the primary health care needs of 31,000 people.
But as executive manager Lawrie Lewis explained in the page-long letter posted on the wall at 8 Brockway in August 2019: 'We recognise that the current facilities of Tower House and Brockway medical centres, situated just a few hundred metres from each other, would not in their current form be able to meet the anticipated increase in demand and we are therefore exploring our options to expand...'.
It is a long way from when in the 1980s the late Hugh Davies and his new partner Robin Lambert made the radical move across town from the purpose-built health centre near the library to the converted private house.
This was because of an expanding population and with more proposed building the doctors are again looking to the future.
However, the solicitors next door at Clifford House which lies at the back of Bargain Buys store, the outline planning application to replace its accommodation with a three-storey apartment building was refused.
Within the 'design and access statement' for Clifford House is said '...directly adjacent to the application site is the Brockway Medical Group...we have been commissioned to submit a similar planning application for this site...'.
Once the ‘commercially confidential’ negotiations are finalised in a letter to patients Mr Lewis said: “Within the next couple of weeks I am confident we will be able to share with you’re the details of any plans to put Brockway up for sale.”
To read full text of two letters available to patients see below.
No M5 link to A370 or B3130?
Two North Somerset villages are seeking urgent clarification about road proposals they feared are still part of future highways plans for the district.
North Somerset Council is proposing the adoption of a revised JLTP4 as an interim Transport Plan in conjunction Bath & North East, Bristol, Gloucester South and North Somerset councils.
The proposal was put to the North Somerset executive committee this week and received approval for debate and review at the full council meeting on Tuesday, February 18.
James Tonkin who is planning and transport executive and ward councillor for Nailsea West End said: “There have been 3,500 amendments and edits to this document which include removal of the link road from the M5 at Clevedon to Nailsea and Backwell since it was published.”
If approved the JLTP4 it will then be put to the West of England Joint Committee on Friday, March 20.
But Backwell and Tickenham villagers are still concerned.
A steering group from Tickenham Road Action Group fear increased traffic thorough the village and intend to address the next parish council meeting to highlight concerns.
The revised JLTP4 is published on the Travelwest website HERE.
TRAG say: “Although there are some good initiatives to support the Climate Emergency, public transport and multi-modal transport it is disappointing to see that the link roads from Nailsea and Clevedon to the B3130 are still in the plan.”
Its concerns include:
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The JLTP4 is based on projected demand from the JSP (which is now defunct);
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Traffic analysis/impact was based on the Strategic Development Areas (as part of the JSP) and did not consider existing traffic volumes; and
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Any additional traffic volume through the village will exacerbate safety and environmental concerns
During the coming days we will review the documentation carefully and prepare our input to the full council meeting, said spokesman Bruce Campbell.
Anyone with observations should email info@trag.org.uk.
TRAG is also urging villagers to complete a Travel West survey HERE to ensure walking and cycling safety in Tickenham can be improved.
Bruce said: “Sadly, I can’t find any developments in the proposals that will improve walking and cycling access for Tickenham village.
“As Clevedon Road is extremely busy and the road and pavements narrow, safety is a primary concern for many residents when considering walking or cycling as an alternative to using the car.
“It would be great if we had a good response to this survey to strongly voice our concerns.
“You have until Sunday, March 15, to complete the survey.”
And in Backwell it is feared the link road next to Backwell Lake, the multi-level car park at Nailsea & Backwell Station and the possible closure of Station Road is still there.
Lorraine Hopkinson said: “I have no idea why this document, when it is so clearly linked with the JSP (which has been proven to be unsound) is still standing,
“I understand it is separate to the JSP and is a West of England Combined Authority (WECA) document, but why are North Somerset Council looking to adopt it, when it is so fundamentally flawed.
“I honestly don't think we can let this go through without ensuring NSC understand the strength of feeling that still exists in Backwell regarding all of these ludicrous proposals.
“Remember 600+ Backwellians gathered round Backwell Lake to make our voices heard against the plans to turn Backwell in to a transport hub and destroy our beautiful lake and wildlife. “
She urged villagers to petition councillor Bridget Petty by email at bridget.petty@n-somerset.gov.uk to reiterate their feelings.
NAG AGM
Nailsea Action Group outlined its latest strategy for proposed house building in the town at its annual meeting.
Its well-attended fourth annual meeting at The Whiteoak Academies of Hannah More infant and Grove junior schools was on Thursday, January 23.
Nailsea Town Council plans for Engine Lane in junction with work by the National Grid is being monitored and NAG has attended the now abandoned JSP hearings and Youngwood Lane appeal.
Updates included:
JOINT SPATIAL PLAN
Following rejection of the plan by government inspectors in summer 2019, North Somerset Council have stated their intention to withdraw from the plan and continue to develop their own Local Plan.
ENGINE LANE
Works for the National Grid Hinkley Point connection commenced at the start of January 2020 throwing the original development timetable for housing on this land into doubt.
THE UPLANDS
The residents have worked very hard to try to establish the land to the south of The Uplands as open green space through North Somerset Council and the Ombudsman, but this has not been successful. The land remains in the Sites Allocation Plan and 50 houses are intended to be built there by a consortium of Bath and North-East Somerset and North Somerset Councils. It is not clear whether planning permission will be needed however, a successful application for a woodland preservation order, rather than individual tree reservation orders) was made for the ancient woods at the east end of the land to the south of The Uplands, and a fully documented application for official registration and recognition of the footpaths/ways that have been used for decades has been lodged. NAG will be watching developments closely.
CAUSEWAY VIEW
Linden Homes wish to build 195 homes behind Causeway View between the football ground and Watery Lane. The land in question is currently subject to multiple ownership and is low lying which could significantly delay the builders' intentions.
NORTH NAILSEA
Developers have expressed the intention to submit applications to build 600 homes between Clevedon Road and Bristol Road.
To read reports in full click HERE.or go to NAG website - link top.
Nailsea Action Group planning 'our' future
Planning has been a hot potato in Nailsea since Somerset County Council earmarked the village for thousands of new homes back in the 1960s.
And the conflict continues in 2020 with thousands more home in the pipeline for this North Somerset community which boasts below average crime statistics, great schools and beautiful countryside close to city and coast.
Its population was record in 1954 as nearly 3,000 and whereas it was 16,546 in 2001 census and dropped to an estimated 15,477 last year.
SCC had all those years ago decided Nailsea would grow to 20,000.
Nailsea Action Group will be talking about some of the current planning issues affecting the town at its annual meeting on Thursday, January 23, at 7.30pm at The Whiteoak Academies of Hannah More Infant and Grove Junior schools.
On the agenda is North Somerset Council's proposed withdrawal from the Joint Spatial Plan (JSP), the district and town council’s declaration of a ‘climate change emergency’ and the proposal by Nailsea Town Council for ‘town green’ status for open space off The Perrings.
Other issues likely to come up are the saga of building on farmland at Engine Lane originally earmarked for 183 homes in December 2017 and now reduced to 171 - see image top.
When this goes ahead Nailsea Town Council is likely to net a cash windfall of millions.
However, National Grid has encroached on the land for its underground cables to link to Hinkley nuclear power station link and now 12 fewer properties will be built.
Barratt Homes was due to start building homes on the site in September 2018.
Nailsea Town Council clerk Jo Duffy said: "National Grid has insisted on a permanent easement over their cables of 16m in width for the full length of the cable that runs through the development land.
"This means that no building can take place within this zone and as a result, 12 houses have been lost."
Nailsea Town Council agreed to sell the land to Barratt Homes in December 2015 to attract more families and to provide affordable homes for people in the area.
Nailsea has an ageing and declining population and while it has an abundant of nursing/care homes and sheltered accommodation mostly in the town centre there is limited new homes at prices they can afford for younger people.
Mrs Duffy added: "Nailsea Town Council continues to work with the developer, Barratt Homes, on behalf of all the landowners to seek to satisfy the conditions to the planning approval for the land that was granted permission in December 2017.
"The town council is disappointed it is taking so long to deliver the planned homes.
"The delay is as a result of the time it has taken National Grid to finalise its designs for the cables that are being laid underground between Nailsea and Portishead.
"The landowners, collectively, are still in contract with Barratt Homes to develop the land.
"It is not an option at this time to withdraw from the contract.
"A specialist consultant has been appointed to prepare a case for compensation for loss against National Grid and this work is ongoing."
Drainage tests for 50 new homes at The Uplands is currently underway - see photos below.
Despite an appeal to the ombudsman building on this site is likely to happen this year.It has been made possible by £557,000 funding from Homes England providing 30 per cent of the housing is deemed ‘affordable’.
In November 2019 MacTaggart and Mickel Homes won permission on appeal for a ‘garden city’ of 450 houses on a nearby 24 hectacre site also at The Uplands.
This was after the Planning Inspectorate found North Somerset Council had failed in its statutory duty to identify a five-year housing land supply.
Nailsea is particularly vulnerable to developers while no Local Plan is in place.
Estate agent on the move
Hunters estate agents (not to be confused with Hunter Leahy further along the road at 71) has closed its Nailsea branch.
Nailsea People has been told it will still sell Nailsea homes from a central hub in Portishead.
It was in the summer of 2018 that director Richard Van De Velde took the Heritage businesses at Nailsea, Portishead and Yatton into a franchise and re-branded his offices.
Hunters, which opened its first office in York in 1992 and its first franchising branch in 2006, now has a network of more than 200 branches nationwide.
Richard said at the time: "The rebranding will allow us to offer numerous additional benefits to our existing Heritage Estate Agents customers as well as prospective new ones, and that’s something we’re delighted about.
"Particularly when it comes to technology, marketing and training, operating under the new blue brand of the group is a move that will add a whole new dynamic to our service offering.
"Hunters has a strong nationwide presence and excellent reputation, so we’re delighted to come on board."
But no-one foresaw the closure of the re-storey Nailsea office which was re-modelled back in 2011 after a major fire which cost more than £250,000 to repair.
All sales and rental valuation should now be directed to Hunters Estate Agents and Letting Agents at 46 High Street, Portishead, or call 01275 840600.
Rumours are that a planning application for flats for 104 High Street is likely to be submitted.
Market forces
According to Rightmove last year most property sales in Nailsea involved detached properties which sold for on average £439,720.
Semi-detached properties sold for an average price of £294,045, while flats fetched £267,724.
Nailsea, with an overall average price of £343,419, was similar in terms of sold prices to nearby Portishead (£352,514) but was more expensive than Clevedon (£320,909) and cheaper than Long Ashton (£436,655).
During the last year, sold prices in Nailsea were similar to the previous year and five per cent up on 2017 when the average house price was £327,869.
Detached 4-bed family home
Hunters is pleased to offer for sale this detached property situated in a private cul-de-sac.
The accommodation comprises and entrance hall with the bonus of a ground floor cloakroom, 16ft lounge with a feature fire place, fitted kitchen which leads to a separate dining room with a conservatory to the rear.
On the first floor is the family bathroom and four bedrooms with the master bedroom having fitted wardrobes.
To the front of the property is a lawn area with a drive to the side providing of street parking and access to the garage.
The rear garden has a patio area leading to a raised lawn.
Enclosed on all sides with side access.
For more details of the Beech Close home offered at £375,000 OIRO click HERE.
Super semi + conservatory
Well presented three bedroom semi detached home situated in a prime location close to local amenities with a traffic free frontage and the advantage of a garage to the rear.
The accommodation offers an entrance hall with stairs rising to the first floor and access to the lounge.
The lounge is of front aspect with a feature fire place and double doors opening to the separate dining room which in turn leads to the conservatory and fitted 11ft kitchen.
On the first floor is a refitted family bathroom and three bedrooms with the third bedroom having a built in bed frame.
Outside to the front is an open lawn area and side access to the rear garden which is mainly paved and enclosed on all side.
There is rear access to a parking bay and the garage.
For more details of this Nightingale Gardens property priced at £280,000 OIRO click HERE.
2019
Try living next to countryside
Extended home at heart of town
A well presented family home situated on the edge of Nailsea enjoying countryside views to the front aspect.
This excellent property offers ample living space for the whole family to enjoy and includes living room, modern fitted kitchen, separate dining room and conservatory.
The first floor has four good size bedrooms with the master complete with en suite shower room and a family bathroom.
Outside enjoys pleasant rear gardens, parking and a single garage.
EPC C.
For more details of this Parish Brook Road, Nailsea property priced at £390,000 click HERE.
Extended detached property offering good size versatile accommodation situated in a prime desirable location within Nailsea not too far from local amenities.
Located toward the end of a cul-de-sac with pathways leading to the local schools and town centre this property is a must view.
EPC D
For more details of the Ash Hayes Drive home click HERE. Nailsea
Builders £1M bounty
Developers will have to contribute a million pounds towards improved infrastructure to build nearly 500 new homes on the west side of Nailsea.
North Somerset Council had already given itself permission for 50 ‘flatpack’ houses on land it owns at The Uplands and now a planning inspector has said Mactaggart and Mickel Homes Ltd can build a further 450 dwellings next door.
It was the council’s inability to meet government rules by identifying building land that led to the developers not waiting for district councillors to decide but going straight to appeal.
The 24 hectares in question is north of Youngwood Lane and east of Netherton Wood Lane and abuts the existing south-west edge of Nailsea.
To help you visualise size think:
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24 international rugby pitches; or
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48 double-decker buses, parked together with no gaps, would cover a hectare of ground; or
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24 times Trafalgar Square.
With the ‘core strategy’ public enquiry abandoned early this year there was nothing in place to save this green space.
Inspector DM Young ruled ‘the key fact is that the NSSAP (North Somerset Sites and Policies) has failed to deliver a five-year supply of deliverable housing land in North Somerset even in the short term’.
And he said ‘the area to the south-west of Nailsea’ could ‘accommodate 2,575 dwellings’ before 2036 and another 725 after that.
However, this housing estate will represent the first major development to be build in the area for 20 years since The Elms, which is technically in Wraxall.
Future plans also include a link from the A370 to M5 and new local centre for Nailsea.
Mr Young dismissed consideration of fauna and flora at this stage given the submitted ecology reports and he thought ‘despite some intensification’ existing rural roads ‘would continue to operate well within capacity’.
However, he ordered the developers to contribute £326,414 to improving public rights of way between ‘St Mary’s Grove and The Perrings, The Perrings-Backwell Lake and Youngwood Lane-Station Close‘ and a contribution of £650,000 towards having a bus service diverted to serve the new housing estate. And £95,000 to improve the junctions at North Street/Hanham Way/Queens Road and Station Road/Queens Road.
The development will include 30 per cent affordable housing.
Mr Young concluded that the ‘appeal site is located in an accessible and sustainable location on the edge of Nailsea with a good range of shops and services. There would be a comprehensive package of footpaths, cycleway improvements which would facilitate car-free trips to the town centre and Nailsea & Backwell railway station’.
To download the appeal decision letter click HERE.
NB: Decision letter has an error as it refers to south-east of Nailsea not south-west
Detached home in prime locale
Hunters are pleased to offer for sale this four bedroom detached property, situated in a prime location and not too far from the town centre
One of the advantages of this property is just a short walk across the green and you would be in Millennium Park where you can take a stroll or let the children play.
The property is presented in good condition throughout with the accommodation comprising a welcoming hallway with access to the ground floor cloakroom, L shape lounge with a study area, double doors opening to the dining area with patio, conservatory with electric blinds and a kitchen with a utility room.
There is a nice sized first floor landing with built in storage cupboard and doors leading to four bedrooms and a family bathroom.
There is then a bonus shower room to the master bedroom.
To the front of the property the drive provides off street parking for a number of cars and access to the double garage.
The front garden is mainly laid to lawn and to the rear of the property is the enclosed garden with a patio area leading to the lawn, various flower and shrub borders.
To the side of the property is a further garden area and access to the front of the property and garage.
EPC C this Briar Close home is on the market for £525,000.
For more information click HERE.
Extended home with 4 bedrooms
We are pleased to offer for sale this detached spacious property which has been extended to the rear and will make a lovely family home.
Located in the West End part of Nailsea within walking distance to local amenities.
Not far from neighbouring towns of Clevedon, Portishead and the city of Bristol.
Nailsea has access to good public bus and train transport.
The accommodation comprises of an entrance hall, WC/cloakroom, living room, dining room and L-shaped kitchen.
On the first floor there is access to the loft space, four bedrooms and a family size bathroom.
Outside, the front has a well kept lawn, mature hedging and trees, a driveway has parking for up to three cars which leads to a single garage and the rear enclosed garden offers a greenhouse, garden shed, outside tap, patio area, well kept lawn with an array of flowers, shrubs and trees. EPC D this North Street property is on the market for £425,000.
Viewing is strongly recommended.
For more information click HERE.
Nowt for Nailsea as councils share building windfall
Nailsea has benefitted zilch from the monies paid by housing developers in the past six months because nothing new has been built.
The village of Yatton got the most – nearly £50K with nothing showing for Nailsea.
Communities in North Somerset stand to benefit directly from developer payments to address the pressures of housing growth.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) was introduced by North Somerset Council last year.
Developers are required to pay the levy to help fund the cost of infrastructure such as schools and transport improvements.
This is like the old section 106 orders where house builders had to contribute to roads and public amenities.
North Somerset Council takes 85 per cent of the cash with just 15 per cent of the money going to the town or parish council where the development takes place.
This increases to 25 per cent if the council has an adopted neighbourhood plan.
The rest is retained by North Somerset to spend on infrastructure to support development.
The fund is expected to build up year-on-year for the first few years.
Payments are made to town and parish councils every six months and the latest payments made this month are the biggest yet totalling £107,424.
They include:
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Yatton – £49,324.82
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Weston-super-Mare – £24,615
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Winscombe and Sandford – £13,464.69
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Locking – £11,491.59
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Backwell – £2,740
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Pill and Easton-in-Gordano – £2,233.79
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Wrington – £1,250.37
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Kewstoke – £1,167.96
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Congresbury – £673.32
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Banwell – £400.80.
Town and parish councils can spend the money as they choose, providing it is for some form of infrastructure to support development.
North Somerset Council executive member for planning and ward councillor for Nailsea West End said: “ I’m delighted to see this money going direct to communities to support them in providing new infrastructure for the benefit of their residents.
“It’s entirely right that communities should benefit first-hand from this funding which can make a significant difference at local level.”
Earlier this summer North Somerset Council allocated £114,000 of its own CIL to help meet the costs of a new primary school in Yatton, where there has been substantial housing growth.
The council expects to commit more of its funding to similar projects during the next few years and will publish an annual report each year detailing the income and how it has been used.
In North Somerset the Community Infrastructure Levy applies primarily to retail and residential developments and the rates vary according to the size, location and type of development.
There are exceptions for affordable housing and properties being built for the owner’s own use (for example house extensions) as well as for charitable projects.
There is no charge on employment or community buildings.
Further guidance on the CIL can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/cil.
Rural home set in huge garden
Neat 3-bedroom detached home
Hunters Estate Agents are offering for sale this four bedroom detached property requiring some modernisation, benefiting from a paddock of approximately one acre.
This is to the rear side of the property, which can be seen from the house and has the advantage of its own access to the side.
Set in the village of Tickenham with countryside views to the front and rear of the property yet still within easy access to Clevedon or Nailsea which offer a versatility of shops, leisure activities and commuter links.
The accommodation offers good size rooms which are light and airy but also offer versatility depending on what you may want to use them for.
Currently it comprises of an entrance porch to the rear that gives access to the main hall, ground floor cloakroom, 21ft living room, separate dining room, 24ft kitchen breakfast room, inner lobby which leads to a 17ft games/sitting room and a study.
On the first floor is a good size landing with a window providing views, main bedroom which has access to the balcony, 13ft second bedroom, two further bedrooms.
Both bedrooms have views and there is a family bathroom with a bath and separate shower cubical.
Outside to the front of the property is a patio leading to a lawned garden, driveway to the side of the property giving access to the garage and rear garden.
The rear is mainly hard standing to provide parking with a raised top patio and a green house to the side.
To the right side of the property is a single lane giving access to the land at the rear.
For further information and price click HERE.
Situated in a prime location of Nailsea is this three bedroom detached property with the advantage of two reception rooms.
The property is well presented and viewing is strongly advisable.
The accommodation comprises of a welcoming hallway, ground floor wc / cloakroom, fitted kitchen, 17ft lounge with a separate dining area that has access to the garden.
On the first floor is a good size landing with a recess area and double storage cupboard, three bedrooms and a family bathroom.
Outside to the front of the property is a lawned garden with various flower and shrub borders, a drive way giving access to the garage and providing off street parking.
To the rear of the property there is an enclosed garden with a full width patio area which leads to the lawn.
For further information and price click HERE.
No Engine Lane homes until 2023
Statement from Nailsea Town Council:
'The building of new homes on the land at Engine Lane is dependent on the installation, by National Grid (NG), of new 132kv underground cables around the edge of the land.
NG’s appointment of a contractor to undertake these works was dependent on the decision to proceed with the Hinkley Point C power station, which itself was delayed.
National Grid appointed their contractor earlier this year and preliminary works have commenced around the town.
NG have confirmed that work on laying the cables between Nailsea and Portishead will commence in January 2020.
NG have advised that the works should be complete by July 2021.
This will include the testing of the installation and the reinstatement of the land.
Barratt Homes’ plan is to commence their preliminary works on the site from August 2021 with house building following on later in the year.
Subject to the progress with sales of the houses the completion of the whole development is expected to be by the end of 2023.
Nailsea Town Council will keep residents updated with progress as it is made.'
Jo Duffy
Nailsea Town Council clerk
September 20, 2019
Multi-million pound care home sale
A Nailsea care home has been sold for nearly £7 million.
Impact Healthcare REIT paid £6.95 million for Argentum Lodge which is a purpose built, 56-bed care home off the roundabout on Silver Street and Stockway North.
Nailsea People understand contacts were exchanged this week.
Impact Healthcare REIT issued a statement saying: “Argentum Lodge is a purpose-built nursing home located in the affluent village of Nailsea, approximately 10 miles to the south west of Bristol.
“The Group has agreed to appoint one of its existing tenants, Welford, as the new tenant of Argentum Lodge, which will leave Welford operating five homes for Impact with a total of 230 beds.
"The terms of the new 25-year full repairing and insuring lease with Welford for the home are the same as the Group’s existing leases with Welford.
“The acquisition further enhances the Group’s geographic and tenant diversification and is in line with its investment criteria and returns profile.
“The Group continues to pursue a number of further acquisitions with a number in exclusivity and has a strong pipeline of potential investment opportunities.”
Among its lease holdings Welford operate two homes in Kingswood for Impact Healthcare REIT which is a healthcare property investment trust with a large portfolio of 'UK real estate assets'.
Welford will pay an initial rent to be £467,000 for the lease.
Argentum Lodge opened in June 2013 and in January 2018 is was told to improve in two areas 1) responsive and 2) well-led by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) although it got top marks in the 3) safe, 4) effective and 5) caring sections.
Country cottage with character
Semi detached great location
This is certainly one to view if you are looking for a good size detached cottage set in a semi rural location at Backwell.
The property offers a wealth of charm and character including features fire places.
The ground floor offers a welcoming entrance porch that leads to multiple receptions rooms that could offer versatility depending on your use.
The current owners use the three main reception areas as a formal dining room, sitting room which leads to the garden and a snug to the front of the property.
At the rear of the property is a kitchen cooking area with steps leading to the kitchen breakfast area that is all open plan.
Off this room is the rear boot room which is handy for those rainy days and the ground floor cloakroom.
On the first floor is four double bedrooms with the master bedroom having an en suite, second bedroom with a wash room and then there is a refitted family bathroom to service the other two bedrooms.
To the front of the property is a stone driveway providing a feature front garden, recess parking bay for further parking or larger vehicles, access to the gated side garden and garage.
To the side of the property is the formal garden which the owner has landscaped with feature flower beds and mature shrubs, there is a well aged cherry tree which offers plenty of charm.
To the rear across the lawn is a secluded summer house and to the side of the lawn is a paved BBQ entertaining area screened with hedging.
To the rear is a double garage with twin up and over doors plus a further stone hard standing parking area to the side.
For further information and price click HERE.
Well presented three bedroom semi detached family home situated in the popular location of Trendlewood which gives good access to local amenities and not too far from the train station.
The accommodation on the ground floor comprises of a welcoming hall which gives access to the living area being L shape to provide a dining or study area.
At the rear of the property is a 17ft fitted kitchen with access to the rear garden. On the first floor is three bedrooms and refitted modern family bathroom suite.
Outside to the front of the property is a lawn area with some mature shrubs/trees, pathway leading to the front door and gated side access.
To the rear the garden is mainly laid to lawn with various flower and shrub borders.
There is a full width patio, enclosed on all sides with a pathway leading to the rear gate giving access to the garage.
The single garage is accessed through an up and over door.
For further information and price click HERE.
DEMO: The two neighbouring Nailsea properties looking for planning permission to demolish and build apartments
Radical plans for surgery
Pinning a letter on a noticeboard in the Nailsea surgery to tell patients the doctors want to knock down the premises for redevelopment probably isn't best practice from one of the top GP surgeries in North Somerset.
Three years ago, Brockway Medical Centre along with Nailsea Family Practice based at Towerhouse and the surgery at Long Ashton merged to become Tyntesfield Medical Group.
The new 15 partner strong practice was formed to look after the primary health care needs of 31,000 people.
But as executive manager Lawrie Lewis explained in the page-long letter posted on the wall at 8 Brockway: 'We recognise that the current facilities of Tower House and Brockway medical centres, situated just a few hundred metres from each other, would not in their current form be able to meet the anticipated increase in demand and we are therefore exploring our options to expand...'.
It is a long way from when in the 1980s the late Hugh Davies and his new partner Robin Lambert made the radical move across town from the purpose-built health centre near the library to the converted private house.
This was because of an expanding population and with more proposed building the doctors are again looking to the future.
To date nothing is set in stone and the anticipated outline application 'to explore possibilities' has yet to be posted on the North Somerset Council planning portal.
However, the solicitors next door at Clifford House which lies at the back of Bargain Buys store have submitted an outline planning application to replace its accommodation with a three-storey apartment building.
And within the 'design and access statement' it says '...directly adjacent to the application site is the Brockway Medical Group...we have been commissioned to submit a similar planning application for this site...'.
That is, demolish Brockway and built flats.
To read more about the plans click HERE.
On the Nailsea People Facebook page the comments came thick and fast when we broke the news.
Janet Harris sadi: "I suppose we will all have to go to Tower House.
"Such a shame I always find Brockway to be such a helpful surgery."
Vicki Moore said: "There’s a letter in the surgery to say that they’ve outgrown the building and can’t expand any more so are looking to sell the land for building and build a new doctor’s surgery elsewhere in Nailsea."
Debbie Jenkins said: “This is ridiculous, it’s a lovely surgery and as people are saying where are we going to go in the meantime if another surgery isn’t built before demolition?”
Stephen Morten thought it ‘outrageous that patients were not informed’ by letter.
And Chris Perry would like a new medical centre combining Brockway and Tower House with a dental unit at Scotch Horn and building a new leisure complex at Grove Sports & Social Club.
Liz Williamson said: “What more flats, not impressed.”
Patricia Adams said: “Oh for goodness sake - why can't they leave the few historic bits of Nailsea alone?”
After reading all the online Facebook comments Mr Lewis said: “It is good to hear people’s feedback on the planning application.
“Please be aware that information about the planning application for Brockway was first made public by us having posted, in both the medical centre and on our website.”
UPDATE: The outline planning application for 8 Brockway Nailsea, to demolition the existing medical centre and the erection of a three-storey building containing eight apartments has been posted online by North Somerset Council planning department. Proposals include associated bin and cycle storage and car parking. You can read it HERE.
Digging for ancient remains
A team from Wessex Archaeology accompanied by a large digger have moved onto Shepstone Fields looking for ancient artefacts.
A spokesman said they have found some items but were unable to confirm the date or significance of the finds.
Controversial plans by two charities to build between 20 to 40 homes on Miss Shepstone’s field off Trendlewood Way have been raging for years.
In December 2018 an outline planning application was submitted for 24 houses to North Somerset Council.
The dig is part of the planning process to determine whether building can go ahead.
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.
It currently fenced off and looks like scrubland with a small copse.
Its designation from a community amenity in the North Somerset Local Plan was changed to ‘suitable for small scale residential development’ for up to 30 houses some time ago.
It is understood if planning consent is granted both charities will sell off the land to a developer.
There is an old coal mine shaft in the wooded area which is home to badgers and foxes.
Trendlewood vicar Steve Tilley said back in 2016: “My predecessors and I have made countless enquiries as to the purchase of the land to make some community facility available - a meeting place for clubs, societies, fairs and, of course, the local Church of England church.
“A small 'village' hall would be a facility in which the church would be committed to invest.”
A council senior archaeologist said, ‘it is a matter of record that there is potential for medieval and post-medieval remains could be buried on the site’ and its World War 2 air raid shelter ‘holds an element of local history’.
Fragments of pottery from the 13th century were been found in a trial dig.
Back to drawing board for planners
The plans to build 105,000 homes across the West of England have been thrown into disarray as councils have been sent back to the drawing board.
But any sigh of relief in Nailsea and Backwell that these two communities won’t see more massive house building is temporary.
Why? Because the idea of North Somerset Council to plonk two new settlements at Banwell and Churchill is fundamentally flawed.
Before drawing up the Joint Spatial Plan which says what and where homes can be built across the region planners need to consider which areas have good public transport links and opportunities for local employment.
This week planning inspectors looking at the JSP told the local authorities for Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset to start again – be it in the politest possible terms.
None it seems put a strategy in place first but picked places on the map without working out how people would get to work or whether there was any work in the area.
So, where does that leave Nailsea and Backwell – well vulnerable.
The original idea was for Nailsea to get nearly 4,000 new homes and Backwell a further 700 within the next 20-30 years.
Developers have their eyes of much of the countryside surrounding Nailsea with, it is said, options with landowners, included in their sights are plots at Engine Lane, Youngwood Lane, The Uplands, Causeway View, north west Nailsea and a field at Trendlewood.
With a good bus service, railway station and lots of green fields and a few brown field sites it is no good saying ‘you can’t build it here’ especially without the protection of a legally binding long-term strategy.
The Bristol Post reported that ‘planning inspectors Malcolm Rivett and Steven Lee were tasked with deciding whether the plan was sound and legally compliant and could be adopted straight away or needed modifications first’.
Instead, the inspectors concluded they had “significant concerns” about fundamental aspects of the plan and advised the four councils to withdraw it.
In a letter dated August 1, Mr Rivett and Mr Lee wrote: “We think it only fair to advise you that we currently consider that withdrawal of the JSP from examination may well be the most appropriate way forward.
Hearings cancelled
“We envisage that, overall, a very substantial amount of further work on the plan needs to be undertaken.”
Further hearings expected to take place in September or October will be cancelled.
The inspectors’ key criticism of the plan involved the way that 12 main locations for new housing developments were selected.
The 12 'strategic development locations' across the four local authorities included Thornbury, Charfield, Buckover, Yate, Coalpit Heath, Brislington, North Keynsham, Whitchurch, Nailsea, Backwell, Churchill and Banwell.
Plans to build three new ‘garden villages’ in South Gloucestershire and North Somerset were among the most contentious aspects of the plan.
All of the other proposals were extensions to existing cities, towns and villages.
Mr Rivett and Mr Lee said they were not convinced that the four councils had considered 'reasonable alternatives' when selecting the strategic development locations, so they could not be certain that the locations and the overall spatial strategy had been determined on a 'robust, consistent and objective' basis.
“We therefore cannot conclude that these fundamental aspects of the plan are sound,” they said.
The inspectors said that they had warned the councils of their concerns shortly after the plan was submitted in April 2018.
Despite extra evidence submitted and the arguments put by the four councils at last month’s hearings, 'our significant concerns' remain, they said.
“We seriously question whether the production of even more evidence, as opposed to going back several stages in the plan-making process, would be likely to address our soundness concerns,” they wrote.
“It might be appropriate to consider developing a high-level strategy for the plan area which, not based on specific SDLs, identifies how housing employment and other development should be broadly distributed.”
The inspectors said they would be sending another letter to the councils setting out their concerns in more detail by mid-August.
During the hearings, critics accused the four councils having predetermined ideas about where they wanted to put new housing and taking an inconsistent approach.
Three authorities chose sites within the green belt but North Somerset Council did not.
The councils told the hearing they had consulted extensively and were satisfied that their approach was consistent.
Councils 'extremely disappointed' as plans for 105,000 homes cause inspectors 'significant concerns'
The plans have been more than five years in the making
You can read the full content of their letter HERE.
Lovely home for first time buyer
Big, beautiful country home
Well presented two bedroom property backing onto countryside with the advantage of off street parking in front of the garage.
It also benefits from being an end plot offering not only a good size rear garden but also an extra usable front garden.
The accommodation comprises a welcoming hallway with access to the kitchen located at the front of the property and to the 16ft lounge at the rear of the property which has patio doors to the garden and views towards the countryside.
On the first floor is the bathroom and the two bedrooms with the master bedroom having panoramic views to the rear.
Outside to the front of the property is the garage and parking with a pathway leading to the front entrance.
The front garden has a lawn and vegetable plot area with an abundance of various flowers and shrub. Side access leading to the rear garden.
The rear garden is enclosed on all sides with a patio leading to the lawn area with surrounding flower and shrub borders.
For further information and price click HERE.
This is a truly deceptive village property which needs to be viewed internally to fully appreciate the work done to create a stunning home.
Set in Tickenham and surrounded by North Somerset countryside this detached home offers a wealth of charm.
From the front door a welcoming hallway runs through to the rear of the property which has been extended and refurbished.
Here you will find the main living area with dining area, study/entertaining space with bi-fold doors leading to a private garden.
One step down to the refitted 22ft kitchen with quality gloss units and integral appliances is the utility room and an open plan breakfast area.
At the end of the kitchen there is double access to the garden with door to the side leading to the main patio area and then double doors leading to the upper garden area.
Off the hallway is a separate sitting room, two double bedrooms, low light shower room with refitted suite and versatile 10ft room which is current used as a wardrobe/dressing room.
On the first floor is a large L-shape bedroom with separate seating area, walk-in wardrobe and Juliet balcony.
There is a further door leading to an en suite with bath and separate spa shower.
A second large bedroom with views to the front of the property has walk-in wardrobe,12ft en suite and double seated spa shower.
Outside to the front is a sweeping driveway, access to the garage and off-street parking for a number of vehicles.
The rear garden is split into sections with full width entertaining patio, outside studio summerhouse, feature barked area and lawn terrace with a mature tree.
For further information and price click HERE.
WARM CLIMATE: A debate climate change on Thursday, July 11, all welcome
Game on, but it's not tennis
Well it has begun - planning people are looking at the blueprint for building in North Somerset and adjoining counties for the next 20 years.
The West of England Joint Spatial Plan stage one hearings began this week.
It is estimated 85,000 new homes are needed in the West of England area by 2036 with Nailsea earmarked for nearly 5,000 not to mention the roads which appears to allocate a duel carriageway running through Backwell Lake!
The independent planning inspectors responsible for examining the West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) on behalf of the Secretary of State will undertake the next stage of their examination in the form of two stages of hearings held in public at the Guildhall, Bath .
The four West of England Councils - Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire - submitted the JSP to the Secretary of State in April 2018 for examination.
The JSP sets out the policies and principles for determining the most appropriate and sustainable locations for future development, in order to meet the region’s housing, employment and transport needs through to 2036.
This plan will sit above and guide each councils’ own Local Plans.
Since its submission, two independent planning inspectors were appointed by the minister to conduct the examination, to determine whether the Joint Spatial Plan complies with existing laws and regulations and that it meets the regional growth needs.
The hearings will be carried out in public and those who commented on the JSP in the past two previous consultations have been invited to speak.
Each session is scheduled to run between 9.30am-1pm and 2-5.30pm each day.
Stage one of the hearings began on Tuesday, July 2 and ends on Friday, July 5. It reconvenes on Tuesdayl July 9 until Friday, July 12.
Stage two of the hearings is from:
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Tuesday to Friday, September 17-20;
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Tuesday to Friday, September 24-27;
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Tuesday to Friday, October 1-4; and
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Tuesday to Friday, October 8-11.
Information relating to both stages of the hearings can be found online by clicking HERE.
New on Nailsea High Street
Fine & Country estate agents looks like it is sharing space with Hunter Leahy at 71 High Street. The upmarket 'realtors' boast offices in more than 300 locations worldwide and can now add Nailsea to its prestigious addresses which include Park Lane, London. Pictured below is the Mayfair branch while right is the Nailsea office.
Glassworks Mews
Progress from start of 2018 to June 2019 is in a slideshow on this Property Peeps page by scrolling down to nearly the bottom.
Before this date there are more photos in Gallery 2017 which show work from the beginning.
It was more than two years ago multi-million plans to develop the old garage next to the Royal Oak pub were unveiled to Nailsea Town Council.
The first slide show in Gallery 2017 is the land covered in rubble.
The development is located at the east end of Nailsea High Street adjacent to the Grade II listed Royal Oak Public house.
The area once formed part of a large glass manufacturing complex, established in 1788 and a scheduled ancient monument.
Now partially built over, what remains survives as underground archaeology, low level ruins and the former Royal Oak Garage building.
The garage is excluded from scheduling under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and the conversion and refurbishment of the derelict Royal Oak Garage into 10 family houses and a commercial unit facing the street followed.
Key to the project is the retention of the existing stone walls from the garage building, and the removal of the later steel angle truss and asbestos cement roof.
The overall form, roof pitch and height has been maintained in the redevelopment of the new houses many of which have been sold or are under offer.
Who will be moving into the commercial unit facing the road has been the subject of much spectulation but has still not been revealed.
New homes plan for Nailsea field
A controversial outline planning application has been submitted by two charities to build 24 homes on Miss Shepstone’s field off Trendlewood Way, Nailsea.
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 outline application will be discussed by Nailsea Town Council on Wednesday evening, February 27 as part of its highways and planning committee meeting but the final decision will be made by North Somerset Council.
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.
It currently is fenced off and looks like scrubland,
Its designation from a community amenity in the North Somerset Local Plan was changed recently to ‘suitable for small scale residential development’ for up to 30 houses.
In the past the land has been subject to a several proposals for development, including building up to 40 homes but nothing ever happened.
Restrictions placed on the site regarding access have been lifted and resolved after the charities sought legal advice.
Of the proposed new homes on the site 30 per cent would be social housing.
The wooded area of the site would remain protected under a tree preservation order.
It is understood if planning consent is granted both charities will sell off the land to a developer.
The highways and planning committere meeting at the Tithe Barn which starts at 7.30pm will also discuss the Joint Local Transport Plan 4 2019-2036 and its impact on Nailsea.
FOR RENT: A two-bed upstairs flat with own ground floor entrance and spacious understairs storage is for rent in Nailsea High Street. The newly decorated flat has an open plan kitchen, dining and living space and is above Beauty Incorporated & Nailsea Foot Clinic. There is also a shower room but no parking. £700 pcm. Deposit and references required. Contact Anne Walton-Davies on 0774 030 5735.
MODERN SEMI: A three-bed semi-detached home at Bruton Close, Nailsea, is on the market for £300,000 with Yopa. This spacious and attractive family home which has undergone extensive refurbishment in recent years and is presented to a high standard throughout. A number of the neighbouring properties have extended over the years, subject to the required consents this could also be possible if additional accommodation is required. The house is located in a quiet cul-de-sac within the popular Perrings area of Nailsea and id within walking distance of infant, primary and secondary schools and shops. For more information click HERE.
Our green and pleasant town
There isn't a field surrounding Nailsea that isn't within the sights of a property developer, the annual meeting of Nailsea Action Group (NAG) heard on Thursday, February 7.
That is with the exception of the countryside abutting The Elms towards Wraxall which is Green Belt and therefore building restrictions apply.
But Nailsea Town Council in its vision for the future wants a Green Belt review as it would like development to be in the direction of Bristol.
NAG is opposed to any large-scale development which would damage our rural landscape including taking valuable recreation land for housing and is concerned about even more commuter traffic clogging both the A370 into Bristol and the network of narrow lanes linking the villages of North Somerset.
More than 50 Nailsea residents attended meeting at the United Reformed Church Hall including North Somerset and town councillor James Tonkin and fellow town councillor Mike Bird.
Mr Tonkin said after the meeting: “Surprisingly many in the audience were in favour of limited development around the town including the Engine Lane residents.
“Until our infrastructure is sorted I would be against any further building past the 1,000 new homes that are allocated up to 2026 – it’s a no-no.”
Coupled with involving younger people in its aims, NAG was anxious to lose any NIMBY image, the meeting heard.
Chairman Matthew Thomas in his written report said behind the scenes NAG has been busy scrutinising all planning applications for Nailsea and environs, liaising with action groups in nearby villages and parish, town and district councils.
An abridged version of Mr Thomas' report on different sites is published here.
While NAG remains opposed the proposal to build on the land to the west of Engine Lane it does support Nailsea Town Council in its wish to utilise the long disused buildings adjacent to the library for housing.
He said: "We also support the council’s aspiration for an overall comprehensive plan for Nailsea’s development, rather than piecemeal with little or no proper consideration for infrastructure.
"During 2018 very little new material was presented in the Joint Spatiial Plan’s name, but much paperwork generated by re-iterating previous documents particularly for referral for the JSP consultation period which closed in January this year.
"As you would expect NAG made its contribution to this consultation as it did for that for the North Somerset Local Plan which ran almost concurrently – so a busy run-up to Christmas for us all.
"Once the consultation closed in January, the four council's began to produce a key issues report, which will include consultation comments received and a short response from the councils.
"All these will be circulated to the government Inspectors of the plan.
"The inspection was scheduled to take place this coming Spring, but is now likely to be later in the year.
"One of the newer documents in the JSP suite is the Non-Technical Summary of the West of England Joint Spatial Plan Sustainability Appraisal which highlights many of the aspects of Nailsea’s situation quite clearly, namely:
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The new town expansion will be remote from all existing town facilities and so will require an extensive community infrastructure package;
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It will not be currently well-located in relation to employment, retail or public transport, though there may be potential for growth;
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But resumed housing growth will address demographic imbalance in Nailsea resulting from past expansion;
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There is an existing station and an opportunity to improve links to Bristol with MetroBus;
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There are significant ecological sensitivities in relation to bat flight corridors;
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Landscape and heritage sensitivities, requiring high quality mitigation but little detail yet available;
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Loss of high-grade agricultural land, with no apparent scope to avoid through design; and
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Low flood risk generally but complex surface water issues yet to be resolved affecting biodiversity and drainage.
"Overall there seems to be a lot ‘yet to be resolved’, and, in that regard, it is hard to reconcile much of the so-called plan with the word itself – ‘plan’.
"The transport topic paper for Nailsea is interesting as it identifies Nailsea several times over as being one of only a few areas where significant mitigation is needed to resolve foreseen transport difficulties, but also concedes that there are no plans for such and indeed in some instances, no mitigation is possible.
"This is worrying and is certainly an issue that NAG will be taking up during the inspection hearings later this year."
NAG has undertaken no fundraising in 2018 and its bank balance stands at £190.
The following officers were re-elected: chair Matthew Thomas, vice-chair Antony Evans, secretary Tracey Thomas, treasurer Adam Kelly and committee: Helen Ellis, Reis Braganza, Dave Grey.
ENGINE LANE
In December 2017 North Somerset Council gave Barratt Homes planning permission to build on the land to the west of Engine Lane. NAG chairman Matthew Thomas spoke against the plans. It was far from a unanimous vote by the district councilors. Since then, officially, very little has happened, as the process has been held up by several factors. First. National Grid intend to underground the cable that currently runs on pylons to the west of the site, and the route for this travels across and around the site. One of the conditions of the planning permission is that NG must complete their work before any site development takes place. NTC hoped that would be during 2018, but the process has been delayed possibly by issues related to the Hinkley Point development. A NG contractor is/was scheduled to have been appointed last year and the latest we know is that this should take place this month. NTC say that it is hoped that NG’s work will be completed so that house building can begin late this year. Lest it be thought otherwise, this electricity supply is not just a small cable but one which requires a deep trench to be dug that is five metres wide with additional easement and access of a further 7.5 metres each side, so 20 metres wide in all. Secondly, another condition stipulates that no development can take place until the rugby practice pitches to be built on have been replaced by land further down Engine Lane, under which also, incidentally, will run the new electricity cable. For these to be properly fit for play, time has to be allowed for the ground to settle, and to be filled, possibly twice. Conditions can always be got round or indeed changed by mutual agreement. For example NG might decide to route their line to the west of the building site nearer the current pylon route, and/or Sport England and Nailsea & Backwell Rugby Club could agree to waive the playability condition in exchange for some other temporary arrangement or even cash. NTC was rightly very insistent that there should be a significant proportion of ‘affordable’ housing included by Barratts in the plan. Quite apart from what ‘affordable’ means in practice, it is said that Barratts are expressing concern at the quantity agreed (as in NTC’s mixed housing policy, which, by contrast to some areas of the country is quite modest and not more than the national understanding of the minimum percentage.) It is probable that, if Barratts wanted to reduce this, the town council would find it very hard to accept. It is not clear at this stage the degree to which the Joint Spatial Plan which proposes at least 2,500 further dwellings to the west of the Engine Lane site, might affect the development of the Engine Lane site by Barratts. It is interesting to note that, currently, the estate’s access roads show two cul de sacs which end with a potential way through to open countryside in the JSP area. Nailsea Town Council’s official line is that building will begin before the end of this year.
YOUNGWOOD LANE
MacTaggart and Mickel Homes submitted plans for 450 houses on the site in 2016. NAG circulated flyers in the surrounding area and submitted a detailed objection. After lengthy exchanges for information between North Somerset Council and the developers, the decision date was delayed until May 2018. During this time, part of the site was included in North Somerset’s Site Allocation Plan for 170 houses. North Somerset Council did not reach a decision on the application by May 2018 but stated that they were against the plans on the basis that they would 'undermine the coordinated planning and extension of Nailsea envisaged by the draft Joint Spatial Plan and emerging North Somerset Local Plan'. The developers have appealed on the basis that no decision was made by the decision date and the appeal is scheduled to be held in September 2019.
THE UPLANDS
As you will know, and sad to confirm, the Uplands site is firmly included in the NSC SAP with a rider that ‘road widening will be required’. Our little ‘Uplands Group’ appealed to the Ombudsman to support us against this decision on the basis that the long-term planning and Public Open Space history of the site should have protected it from housing development. However, the Ombudsman has cursorily dismissed our complaints on the basis that; 'the local plan was approved by the Planning Inspector by January 2017 and the Local Government Ombudsman cannot question the merits of that plan'. He also pointed out that 'the Ombudsman has no legal power to question the merits of the Local Plan in the absence of a fault by the Council, nor to question the merits of the Planning Inspectorate to confirm the soundness of the Local Plan'. Consequently, the Ombudsman has refused to investigate the complaint 'as there is no evidence of fault by the Council'. Presumably, the council’s next step will be to grant itself planning approval to construct 50 dwellings on the site. We have no details of what sort of properties are planned but NSC has publicly stated that it is forming its own construction company and seeking to undertake the development in partnership with Bath & North East Council which already has such a company. It is also reported that the properties will be of a pre-fabricated type. Meanwhile, the ‘Uplands Group’ has lodged an application with NSC to formalise a number of recognised tracks that cross the site. This application was made some 18 months ago but due to the heavy number of footpath applications that have been lodged throughout North Somerset it is unlikely to be resolved any time soon. However, where there is a threat of imminent development on a site there is mechanism for seeking the promotion of an application up the batting order. We will be pursuing this.
CAUSEWAY VIEW
North Nailsea
Developers called Land Value Alliance have an interest in the land north of Nailsea between Clevedon Road and Bristol Road. Last year they asked the council for an opinion as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was required prior to the submission of a planning application. The council said that an EIA was required. The rules of the planning system require developers to ask this question before they submit a planning application. Nailsea Town Council would prefer development in the north and east of the town as commuting to Bristol would be easier from that side of town. However, the development would be in Green Belt and so is unlikely to be permitted as things stand.
North West Nailsea
For more than 20 years, a stretch of land at North West Nailsea has been allocated by the council for housing but nothing has been built there. From the football ground at Fryth Way the land extends south, behind Causeway View, to Watery Lane and North, behind Godwin Drive, to the bend in Pound lane that overlooks Tickenham Church. The council have set a maximum of 450 homes but will not permit any building until the pylons have been removed as part of National Grid’s plan to upgrade the pylons and move them further away from the edge of town. Linden Homes have an interest in the land behind Causeway View, south of the football field and in 2017 they asked the council for an opinion as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was required. The council said that an EIA was 'not required'. When Linden Homes asked this question the report in the local press said that Linden Homes were preparing a planning application to submit to the council by the end of that year (2017). However, we wouldn’t expect a full application to be submitted until National Grid’s plans for pylon replacement becomes clear.
TRENDLEWOOD
Background Information: Two charities own the fields through a legacy from a previous owner. The Sites Allocation Plan has proposed up to 30 homes to be built here. To date no planning application has been submitted.
Current Situation: They have employed a firm of solicitors (presumably at some considerable expense) to remove certain covenants from the deeds of neighbours. Residents offered to deal directly with the charities, thus saving them considerable expense. This offer was rejected. There are other issues that need addressing and we are awaiting some clarification. Amongst these is the future management of a small woodland area which is protected by a Woodland Preservation Order. Wildlife issues also need clarification - six species of bats (including two protected species) and various other wildlife species in the woodlands).
Coronation Street star shopping at Waitrose Nailsea
Guess who we talked to while shopping in Waitrose Nailsea on Wednesday evening, February 6?
Looking very glamorous despite her advancing years it was Thelma Barlow, aged 89, the English television actor and writer, most famous for her roles as Mavis Wilton in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street and as Dolly Bellfield in the sitcom Dinnerladies.
Thelma who hails from Middlesbrough in Yorkshire was in North Somerset to help her long-standing friend and Nailsea town councillor Phil Barclay, 92, move house.
Phil will be one of the first residents in the newly completed McCarthy and Stone retirement complex called Bucklands built on the old police station.
Oh and Thelma chose the supermarket ironing board despite Phil’s protests that it wasn’t the one he wanted!
ANY BETS FOR FINISH DATE? Lots of construction workers on site but the November deadline of first people moving in has long gone. Some Nailsea people don't like the new build but we think its miles better than the tatty old police station which once stood on the site...
JOINED UP THINKING: New roads/links under consideration for Nailsea and nearby January 2019