NAILSEA
PEOPLE
Property peeps
HENSONS the estate agents sponsor the Nailsea People property page.
With more than 80 networked offices in the south west and London the Nailsea office is at Ivy Court, 61 High Street, Nailsea, Bristol, BS48 1AW
Telephone: 01275 810030
Email: info@hbe.co.uk
See every property at: www.hbe.co.uk
ESTATE AGENTS, SURVEYORS, VALUERS, AUCTIONEERS, PROBATE SPECIALISTS, RESIDENTIAL LETTING & MANAGEMENT, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS, LAND NEW HOMES.
MORE THAN 112 YEARS IN PROPERTY - Est 1909
2021
PARKING PROBLEMS: Graham Nix took this photo of the roads leading to the Netherton Grange construction site mid-morning on Thursday, December 16, showing cars parked on the pavements. He said: "The lorry in front became stationary blocking the road as it couldn’t get onto the site. Vans parked opposite the entrance in the stable entrance. Chaos." And he asked: "Are they going to maintain pedestrian and cycle access during these closures? Does anyone know? These routes are incredibly well used to access the moors and for cycle commuting. I hope so. Could we add cleaning the roads to the list of complaints and if you dig up the roads put them back as a smooth surface not as they have left the first trench with ridges."
Going up High Street roofline
The changing face of Nailsea town centre could see a three-storey building plonk in the middle of the street scene soon.
The upstairs of the former Nailsea Members Club once home to the town’s only nightclub which closed in 2015 has planning permission for an extra storey.
The building with its row of shops on the ground floor sold this summer ahead of auction for a guide price of £375,000 .
Now planning permission has been granted to convert the premises into seven one-bed flats in a project property agents Hollis Morgan had estimated could be worth £1.4m.
Three Magnets Planning said it was effectively reviving plans approved in 2017 that had since lapsed.
The car-free scheme was approved by North Somerset Council to help meet its housing shortfall.
Planning officers said: “While the loss of the night club has the potential to impact upon Nailsea’s night time economy, it is understood that the unit has stood empty for some time and it is reasonable to assume that those who used to visit the premises will have naturally dispersed elsewhere.
“The proposal would contribute to the town’s housing stock by providing smaller and more affordable residential units suitable for first time buyers and those needing to downsize.
“The proposal would reuse an existing building within the town of Nailsea to create seven small and affordable dwellings.
"Any harm resulting from the proposal would not significantly outweigh the benefits of the scheme.”
INVESTMENT CENTRE: Edge of Somerset Square and Colliers Walk with Nailsea library in foreground
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Nailsea People are told another planning application to North Somerset Council by Praxis the owners of Crown Glass Shopping Centre for a £2 million upgrade is imminent. We were told this way back in the summer but word on the street and reported in Bristol Post here https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/somerset-high-street-looking-rebound-6291649 is it is back in play. We know the centre owners along with the firm, headed by Wraxall businessman Paul O’Brien, are talking to Nailsea Town Council and North Somerset Council who own the library and there is current concern about vandalism in the old health/education centre. Nailsea Town Council has as an agenda item for anti-sociial behaviour on Wednesday, December 15. Read more HERE.
Record number seeking new homes in Nailsea
Taylor Wimpey has had a record nearly 1,000 people register interest in its development at Netherton Grange, Nailsea.
Sales executive Donna Jarman said: “This is the biggest pre-release number of potential buyers ever.
“We have had more than 900 inquires already which is amazing.”
Donna admitted they have had so many online inquiries they haven’t been able get back to everyone yet.
Nailsea Town Council chairman Mike Bird said: “I think that is a lot of enquires but this is because it is the first housing estate to be built in Nailsea since the 1980-90s when The Elms was completed.
“With first time buyers qualifying for government incentives on brand new homes that has obviously heightened interest.
“For young people and those living in rented accommodation this gives them a lift onto the housing market which hasn’t been accessible to them before.”
The developers intend to official launch on Saturday, December 18, when the showroom will be opened.
Then the first phase of three and four-bed homes will be released.
The guide price for three-bed homes is £365-410,000 and four-bed homes £480-600,000 depending on house style.
Donna added: “The builders are working their socks off to get everything ready for the launch and I hope to be based on site from Monday, December 13.”
Mike added: "The town council asked to be told when the launch would be but we haven't heard anything I expect they want to get ahead of Barratt Homes at Engine Lane where the footings are just going in."
The development initially received planning approval in March 2021 for up to 168 new homes on the green fields off Youngwood Lane.
The application includes the provision of 30 per cent affordable homes.
The infrastructure roads for the wider development and a safeguarded route for a potential future link road are included.
The housing estate is accessed from a new through route from St Mary’s Grove.
It is a mixed development of one-bedroom apartments up to five-bedroom family homes, with parking and public open space.
The proposals form part of the first phase of a development which received outline planning permission in November 2019 for 450 homes.
The remaining 282 homes will be sought for planning consent at a later date and Taylor Wimpey is about to release an updated site plan.
Currently the government is offering help exclusively on new-build homes worth up to £360,000 in the south west.
To qualify for Help to Buy homebuyers must contribute 80 per cent of the home’s price, for example, with a minimum five per cent deposit and up to 75 per cent mortgage.:
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You need a five per cent deposit for your new home.
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The Government provides a ‘Help to Buy Equity Loan' for up to 20 per cent of the value of the property.
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This equity loan is interest free for five years and can be repaid at any time within 25 years or on the sale of your home.
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You then need to secure up to a 75 per cent mortgage.
Please note this is all subject to eligibility, terms and conditions.
PHOTOS: The images of The Ashenford and The Trusdale with its distinctive black timber cladding are two types of homes being built at Netherton Grange
- to see more you can download a pdf HERE
First images of how Barratt Homes new development at Engine Lane will look
Barratt Homes has released some images of the properties it is building at Parish Brook, off Engine Lane.
The first phase of this development of 171 one, two, three and four bed homes on the edge of Nailsea will be on the market next summer.
But the big question is how much as no prices have been released yet.
Barratt Homes boasts the site has great transport links and is on the edge of the North Somerset countryside but only six minutes by car from the nearest supermarkets and high street shops.
It says residents can also enjoy brand new cycle paths and two new play areas on the development.
And at least 10 selected homes will be available for first-time buyers who have lived or worked in the area.
Not all the houses are ‘for sale’ as 38 homes will be to rent and six for shared ownership (deemed as affordable housing) on specific plots mark on the site map.
Of the ‘essentials on your doorstep’ is says the town centre has a range of shops, Post Office and high street bank.
And it says Nailsea has a range of highly-rated bars and restaurants in the centre including Nailsea MicroPub and Coates House.
But the well-established Bakers the Butchers is listed as Barkers!
Bizarrely Harvey Nichols in Bristol and Clevedon Pier are listed as selling points but not bus stops and the best way to access roads out of the town which are currently all B-roads unless taking the train!
The timber framed properties are being built on land Nailsea Town Council once owned and earmarked as ‘recreational’ and there was much debate and delay getting the go-ahead.
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New developments in North Somerset will be required to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging provision. The changes are being introduced after a new planning document was adopted at a full council meeting on Tuesday, November 9. The Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) sets outs the council's requirements for vehicle and cycle parking at new developments and has been comprehensively reviewed in light of the Climate Emergency and the council's ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030. Most importantly, all new residential developments will now be required to install suitable cabling and supporting infrastructure to enable the easy installation of domestic EV charge points. Non-residential developments will also need to provide a number of charging points. This will future-proof developments and help support the up-take of electric vehicles in North Somerset.
HOW GREEN IS YOUR VALLEY: Ashley Cartman is the North Somerset Lib Dem ward councillor for Long Ashton. He is also a parish councillor for Long Ashton and Leigh Woods and stood against unsuccessfully Conservative MP Liam Fox in the 2019 general election. In May this year he predicted 6,000 homes could be build in the Green Belt with 5,000 close to Wraxall, Long Ashton and Failand. Read more here: https://www.ashleycartman.org.uk/north-somerset-council-local-plan-update-still-5-000-houses-planned-for-the-green-belt
Two Nailsea cottages on market
Hayden Cottage
This mid-terraced three-storey cottage is steeped in history with an abundance of modern innovations blending the best of the old and new.
Dating back to the 1790s the newly renovated property has 3-beds, sitting and dining rooms plus a large add-on kitchen with separate utility, downstairs loo and a walk-in PANTRY - wow!
Through the bifold doors to a private, professionally landscaped garden with suntrap patio - what's not to like?
Viewing is strictly by appointment with Hensons and the cottage is on the market for offers in the region of £435,000.
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Call 01275 810030, pop into the High Street office or for full brochure go to http://www.hbe.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property/11072752-silver-street-nailsea
Mendip View
For those with a cool one million pounds to spend take a look at this marvellous home in the country.
Dating back to the 17th century with newer parts this very special 'cottage' is on the market for the first time in four decades.
Located In the exclusive West End hamlet, Mendip View boasts large reception hall, separate drawing, sitting and dining rooms, massive kitchen, 4 beds, 3 bathrooms and there is even a hobbies room next to the garage!
The main bedroom has a balcony with overlooks the lovely garden and as you would expect in a property of this magnitude there is an outside pool.
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Call 01275 810030, pop into the High Street office or for full brochure go to http://www.hbe.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property/10954328-west-end-nailsea
Funding house building
North Somerset Council economy team in its weekly update of industry and general business news includes details of grants, funded programmes, events and opportunities.
This is circulated by Matt Hanely, company director of Nailsea-based One2One Design Group, for Nailsea Chamber of Trade.
Among the snippets is this:
Home Building Fund - Extension of Fund Availability
Businesses that are building homes for sale or rent, or preparing land for homes, can continue to access loans to cover development or infrastructure costs as the scheme is extended by two years.
The Home Building Fund is a flexible source of funding administered by Homes England on behalf of the Government. It provides two types of finance, which can be tailored to circumstances.
Development loans
These are for meeting the development costs of building homes for sale or rent. They can be taken out over five years and drawn down to 31 March 2025 (extended by two years from an original draw down date of Mach 2023).
Infrastructure loans
These are to prepare sites for the infrastructure needed for housing to progress and land to be prepared. They can be taken out over 20 years. Infrastructure projects must ultimately lead to the development of new housing.
According to the Government, loan funding of at least £624 million will now be available for house builders to improve the infrastructure needed to kick-start new housing projects, with a particular focus on transforming unsightly and derelict brownfield sites.
Loans of £250,000 to £250 million are available with smaller loans considered for innovative housing solutions and serviced plots for custom builders.
Loans can be tailored to individual circumstances and eligible costs will be discussed with each applicant and depend on the type of funding requested.
Applications are being accepted from private sector businesses that build new homes or prepare sites for housing development. Small builders, community builders, custom builders and innovative housing developers businesses in England are eligible.
To read full document download HERE.
Further information from economic development officer Josyanne Clarke
Josyanne.Clarke@n-somerset.gov.uk
Economic Development Officer
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There is more about funds available in a report by Nailsea town councillor James Steel about the community engagement committee on our Political Peeps page HERE
ONLINE PETITION: Neighbours of this Backwell school are opposed to building here. They say 'This is the social hub of Backwell Village and building in this specific location would negatively impact almost everyone in our village and particularly some of our most vulnerable, our children'. To support their campaign sign the petition here https://www.change.org/p/north-somerset-council-reject-planning-for-65-houses-behind-west-leigh-school-in-backwell
Fears about stategic gap
Nailsea People asked on its Facebook page is anyone knew why highway engineers are taking measurements in the fields between Backwell lake and the railway?
We had a rum lot of answers, here are some of them:
Ian Harvey said: “Motorway link road.”
Derek Iles said: “Probably squeeze another 200 or so houses in there.”
Sarah Goulty said: “Access to all the new housing that's going in?”
Sarah Maskew said: “No doubt for a road or more houses.”
Bryan Sheppard said: “New runway for the airport, expansion going ahead!”
Michael Porter said: “They are doing this everywhere at the moment, in Yatton last week.”
Bryan Sheppard said: “100 per cent the airport, going to get a lot bigger.”
Shawn Holland said: “Access road to the station that links to the A370, avoiding Station Road. Itis referenced in the North Somerset Council Joint Local Transport Plan.”
Helen Shalders asked Shawn Holland: “Was the JLTP formally adopted?
“If so, it's escaped my notice (entirely possible but kinda annoyed if it was).”
Shawn Holland replied: “I think it was rejected, but i believe at the time NSC said that the road was needed to support the additional housing for Nailsea and Backwell.”
Jon Stubley said: “And to make county lines access much easier from the Bristol direction.”
Beth Connock said: “I went to a meeting a couple of years ago and there was talk of the taking a road from J20 on the M5 right through over Backwell lake right down to Flax Bourton.”
For those not in the know that was when planners talked of a road on stilts over the lake!
Chris Callaghan said: “They’re not highway engineers, just have Highway Maintenance on the van so they can work on roads.
“Looks like they are drilling boreholes for geotechnical investigations… can’t say why though.”Nailsea People were told by neighbours that the workmen are from the Highways Agency.
Betsy Bebbington said: “Network Rail is currently undertaking surveys on land adjacent to tracks for identifying areas that may be susceptible to flooding in the future.”
Jeremy Blatchford replied to Betsy Bebbington: “They built the railway on an embankment due to flood plain.”
Betsy Bebbington replied to Jeremy Blatchford : “I’m an Network Rail neighbour, they are surveying to try to anticipate new issues. They will be only here for one day, with occasional measurements.”
Jeremy Blatchford concluded: “That is incredibly encouraging.
“Someone is thinking ahead and doing something about it.”
The Uplands row
Nailsea Town Council is so annoyed that North Somerset Council gave itself planning permission for houses on ‘recreational’ space at The Uplands it has submitted a formal complaint citing financial gains for the land grab.
The town council has written to both North Somerset Council chief executive Jo Walker and North Somerset MP Liam Fox saying how the appropriation of the land is ‘fundamentally flawed’.
North Somerset Council granted itself planning permission for 52 eco homes on greenfield
The authority approved its own 'exemplar' proposals in February but whas been challenged ever since on the decison.
In the Nailsea Town Council letter sent in mid-October and shared with the media it says:
‘It’s important to stress that, this is not about the planning application. This is about integrity and the NSC appropriation decision document itself.
The appropriation decision document hinges on two statements, that:
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‘The land is no longer required for the purpose for which it is currently held’ that is public open space; and
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The ’land is no longer required for a particular purpose, meaning no longer needed in the public interest of the locality for that purpose’ again public open space.
It is the town council’s belief that both of these statements are unsubstantiated and incorrect.
The decision document states that it is not a key decision, based on ‘the decision will not result in expenditure or savings of more than £500,000’.
This is not fact or substantiated and cannot be guaranteed with the rise in building material costs, plus the estimated NSC return on the development of between £1.5 - £2.5 million.
Therefore, this IS a key decision.
The decision document (P14) it states that public open space does not have a formal planning designation. If so, why do we need a formal appropriation document? It is also noted that the word ‘public’ has been removed from all other references in the documents.
NSC has had 410 objection letters from residents but dismisses these as just 2.6 per cent of the population of Nailsea. Nationally, any written public response to an issue would be considered to represent a 10 per cent response, therefore the real percentage is 26 per cent of Nailsea residents.
It should also be remembered that these 410 letters were written without NSC being proactive or having any sort of consultation with the residents to gain their opinions about the loss of the public open space.
A rough estimate puts about 400-500 houses within 0.5 miles of the Uplands site, that is practically an objection from all household based on the 410 figures.
The decision document talks of the pre-application consultations.
The appropriation of public open space wasn’t mentioned in these consultations.
The appropriation seemed to be seen by the council as a fait accompli – when in fact the appropriation was a much bigger issue than was understood or admitted to.
It is required by the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) and NPPG (National Planning Practice Guidance), that a robust public open space assessment must be done BEFORE inclusion in the SAP (Site Allocations Plan) and BEFORE any planning application be submitted.
That was obviously not done and should have been done even before allocation into the SAP.
This adds weight to the fact that NSC should not be talking about the need for housing, five-year plans, or the SAP as a reason to appropriate this public open space.
Even NSC’s own website states ‘an open space assessment is required for
major developments…’. In emphasis it also states ‘please note permission will not usually be given to develop an existing open space unless you can show that the space is no longer needed or is more than current requirements’ - neither has been shown.
To reiterate, this is about the integrity of this decision document, especially the untrue statements highlighted.
The decision document states that ‘there is no requirement for the land to fall into disuse as open space prior to appropriation for another purpose’.
This is completely contradicted by the statements in the decision document that state that the council need to prove ‘the purpose of open space/recreation is no longer required’ and it is ‘no longer required for the purpose for which it is currently held’, and this was reinforced by the chair of the scrutiny panel and its members.
The decision document also states that, ‘nor is there a legal requirement for a formal open space assessment’. That’s completely contrary to the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) and NPPG (National Planning Practice Guidance).
The Green Book analysis that the scrutiny panel consulted covers a range of metrics that should be weighed and balance of proof provided, this clearly has not been done and/or ignored.
The update document simply dismisses the Green Book analysis asked for by the scrutiny panel on purely the developments financial situation (nothing to do with the public open space), stating doing a Green Book analysis ‘would suggest financial motivations as the driving factor, which is not true’.
Consider this statement on its own.
This development is not a public building or a statutory facility like a school being built on public open space. This is a commercial residential housing development. Which means this is about profit and therefore there is financial motivation.
NSC own the public open space, they are the developer, the client, the planning authority and appropriator of the public open space and they will be commercially selling residential housing on the site for financial profit.
It is Nailsea Town Council’s view that there is a great deal of financial motivation here, not to mention a huge (very public) conflict of interest.
How can a decision be justified by statements that are clearly untrue, untested and unsubstantiated? Due process has not been done or adhered to. These decision documents simply do not stand up to scrutiny and are therefore flawed.
Nailsea Town Council would like you to formally acknowledge this letter of complaint in line with NSC’s complaints process.
And the formal complaint ended: ‘The town council is now considering our options for further action about the appropriation of The Uplands’.
COUNTRY LANES: We had a wander out to Netherton Grange at the weekend to see how the Taylor Wimpey development was progressing. On its website the builders say new one, two, three, four and five bedroom homes coming soon to Nailsea. No prices and no date of when the first homes go on sale .We just noted how close to the lane they first houses are and close to one another
Backwell housing online consultation
Developers are targeting smaller pockets of land in the village of Backwell having turned for the time being their attention away from the bigger prize of building on Farleigh Fields.
The latest attempt was refused in September by North Somerset Council.
This was by Persimmon Homes for 125 houses on the farmland.
The latest controversial proposal is for 65 houses on a patch between West Leigh Infant School behind Backwell Scout Hut on Rodney Road.
Taylor Wimpey is looking at the 2.3-hectare site it describes as ‘irregularly shaped, unmanaged pasture field’.
Backwell Residents Association reports in its October bulletin the proposal has already attracted 363 objections with only three in support.
Meanwhile meadows next to Nailsea & Backwell railway station are gradually being filled with homes.
Taylor Wimpey has built 65 executive homes at Coppice Place, Moor Lane, which are ‘interesting’ as the houses have very little front garden which we are told is the ‘norm’ these days.
Now Octavia Homes has announced an online public consultation about its proposed development on four acres on the Backwell side of the station.
The scheme is for 50 two- and three-bedroom dwellings next to Coppice Place.
It is outside the settlement boundary - a line drawn on a plan around a village, which reflects its built form, this is also known historically as a 'village envelope'..
Octavia Homes said in a statement: ‘Backwell is an exceptional location, with a wide range of amenities, schools and vitally sustainable transport routes. The project will be built at high density to minimise the impact on the countryside and sustainably, including renewable energy technology’.
Octavia Homes director Matt Regan said “As a family man I share many parent’s concerns that when our children decide to settle down, they will be forced to move into properties outside of the areas they grew up in.
“Of course, this is not a new problem, the under delivery of housing in this country is at crisis point and we are delighted to be able to unlock new homes for those in the greatest need.”Backswell Resident Association told its readers ‘while these ideas will be attractive to many, there are some significant disadvantages with the proposals, including over-development of the site, and the potential for traffic congestion onto the already over-loaded Station Road’.
The consultation is open until Monday, October 25, to have your say go to:
Nailsea win, win from new homes
Developers are required to pay a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to North Somerset Council to help fund the cost of infrastructure such as schools and transport improvements.
This is shared with town and parish councils every six months.
In the latest round of payments more than £266,000 has been distributed to 14 councils with Nailsea Town Council the main beneficiary receiving just over £183,000.
Fifteen per cent of the money is passed by North Somerset to the town or parish council where the development takes place, giving them direct control over how the money is spent in their local communities.
This increases to 25 per cent if the town or parish has an adopted neighbourhood plan.
The rest is retained by North Somerset Council to spend on infrastructure to support housing development.
Payments are made to town and parish councils every six months.
The other councils to benefit are:
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Abbots Leigh - £770.35
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Backwell - £4,767.79
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Banwell - £2,510.42
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Bleadon - £2,386.86
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Clevedon - £1,258.04
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Flax Bourton - £2,862.17
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Kingston Seymour - £210.84
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Locking - £2,571.15
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Long Ashton - £18,659.16
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Portishead - £3,165.13
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Weston-super-Mare - £36,636.71
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Wraxall and Failand - £2,556.71
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Wrington - £4,685.64.
These latest payments bring the total amount passed to town and parish councils since the introduction of CIL in 2018 to more than £700,000.
North Somerset Council executive member for placemaking and economy Mark Canniford is the Liberal Democrat ward councillor for Weston-super-Mare Hillside
He said: "Town and parish councils have the flexibility to use the money to best meet the needs of their local communities and provide new infrastructure for the benefit of their residents.".
In North Somerset the CIL 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, including annual reports on the total amount of CIL received and how North Somerset Council spends its share, can be found on the council's website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/cil.
Drawing by Wotton Donoghue Architects, Clifton
Change is coming to Nailsea town centre
Something is stirring in Nailsea town centre.
Tower House Medical Centre has applied to North Somerset Council to re-vamp its building facing the Stockway South car park.
As part of Tyntesfield Medical Group which caters for 31,600 patients from Backwell, Long Ashton and Nailsea previous plans to sell Brockway Medical Centre and move lock stock and barrel to Tower House were thwarted by the pandemic.
This planning application is for:
‘removal of existing single storey projecting oriel window at ground floor, erection of a single-storey glazed extension to form new entrance lobby, proposed new steps and DDA-compliant ramp up to new entrance lobby and associated hard and soft landscaping. Internal reconfiguration of existing accommodation to create 8no. new consultation rooms, creation of climate-controlled archive store in basement / car parking area’.
You can read full details HERE.
It says in is design and access statement prepared by architects Wotton Donoghue ‘the key principles of the proposal are to enhance the patient and staff experience of the existing centre, improve the efficiency of the internal layout, as well as safeguarding against spread of disease.
Adding:
•The proposed external changes are minimal relative to the scale of the site. The new glazed entrance extension will be more welcoming than the current entrance, which is visually tucked away.
• New pedestrian access up to the proposed entrance will be required as both steps and a ramp to ensure inclusive ease of access.
• The ‘sensory garden’ is a holistic intervention to help offset the clinical nature of a medical centre. Plants and flowers with different colours, shapes, smells and textures will be chosen to create a calming setting for visitors.
• Decanting the medical archives from the second floor to a new, climate-controlled enclosure in the basement will free up muchneeded administration space, and provide better preservation of the documents.
• EV Charging points will encourage and facilitate staff members to drive electrical vehicles.
• Reconfiguration of the Somerset Room will allow for a more efficient use of space following the changes in approach to healthcare since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nailsea People has no start date if planning permission is given and no costings at this stage.
Earlier this year it was announced that the redundant Weston College building at Somerset Square could be transformed into apartments and the library relocated as part of ambitious plans for the town centre.
From bank to books?
One rumour currently circulating is the library will be moving into the old NatWest retail unit.
The iconic building with its chain drains is like marmite - we love it.
Developments Bristol headed by Wraxall businessman Paul O’Brien said in January 2021 the timescale for change was early 2022.
The company is behind the transformed the former Royal Oak Garage into 10 homes, offices and a retail unit and converted Court House in the High Street from offices into apartments.
It has also redeveloped the former Waverley House offices in Clevedon into 17 flats and is currently working on a project to build new homes at Slade Road in Portishead.
Six years ago, the college secured now lapsed planning permission to turn the site into flats, but nothing came of the plan which had been opposed by the then owners of Crown Glass Shopping Centre who didn't want homes on the ground floor.
Which is the best address in town?
Hensons estate agents is selling this charming new build at Bucklands Grove, Nailsea.
On the market for £595,000 freehold this detached house near Backwell Lake boasts some of the best views for miles.
The property has an open plan kitchen/diner, bi-folding doors from living room to garden, main bedroom with Juliet balcony and en suite shower room with a further family bathroom and two additional bedrooms.
High quality fittings and fixtures have been installed throughout.
And the local builder also has credentials for high standards.
Outside is a private driveway, double garage and landscaped garden.
To download full details, click HERE or contact the High Street office on 01275 810030.
Another desirable address is Tower House Lane, Wraxall.
Hensons is marketing this detached country house with an upper price guide of a cool £2 million.
Hidden from view this rural retreat is just half a mile from Nailsea.
Built in the 1930s and enlarged and remodelled in the 1970s this has been the family home of the current owners for some three decades.
With formal dining and drawing rooms on different levels, there is also kitchen with Aga and breakfast space in the additional family room.
The principal bedroom has en suite bathroom and balcony with four further bedrooms, two more bathrooms, study and boot room.
To download full details, click HERE or contact the High Street office on 01275 810030.
Planners refuse 4th attempt to build on Backwell farmland
Controversial plans to build dozens of homes on green fields in Backwell have been thrown out by planners - again.
Developers have been trying for years to build homes on Farleigh Fields in the village, with each application being rejected by planners.
Persimmon Homes submitted an outline planning application to North Somerset Council to build 125 homes at Farleigh Fields earlier this year.
The scheme would have seen the homes built on the north east of the site on the lower slopes, with a new junction to the site installed on the A370 Farleigh Road.
The plan also included new green spaces and pedestrian links to the wider footpath network and traffic calming measures on the A370.
But council planners have once again refused the scheme.
The news that Farleigh Fields - a much loved green space in the village - has been saved has been welcomed by residents and campaigners who have fought off previous development attempts in the past.
Developer Charles Church Severn Valley - part of Persimmon Homes - previously put in plans to build 200 homes on Farleigh Fields.
But this was thrown out by a Government inspector in 2018 following a public inquiry.
The inquiry came after North Somerset Council refused the plans, prompting developers to appeal.
An inspector upheld the appeal and the matter then referred to the Secretary of State.
At the time, the parish council, supported by the residents association, paid for a specialist planning lawyer to speak at the inquiry.
More than 400 letters of objection were received against the scheme and more than 20 villagers spoke at the inquiry.
In 1984 CH Beezer Homes also put forward plans for 250 homes on the eastern part of the site.
But this was refused by the then Woodspring District Council who said the development would have an adverse effect on Backwell.
The developers appealed and lost and the matter was then referred to the Secretary of State who ruled the agricultural potential of the site should be protected.
Developers also put forward plans to build 150 homes on the site in 2000, but these too were thrown out.
Part of Farleigh Fields was included in North Somerset Council’s sites and policies document which says the land should remain as local green space.
However the authority is currently formulating its new local plan, setting out how the district should develop in the coming decade.
Any development of Farleigh Fields is also against the Backwell Neighbourhood Plan.
The news has been welcomed by campaign group Backwell Resistance - set up to fight inappropriate developments in the village.
Spokesman Lorraine Hopkinson-Parker said: "There is much relief and delight that North Somerset Council have refused the developer Persimmon permission to build 125 houses on Farleigh Fields.
"However, it is frankly appalling that despite it being not quite three years
ago that this planning application was thrown out by the highest authority inthe land on these matters, the Secretary of State, that Persimmon came back yet again.
"Despite the financial, emotional and time, invested by Backwell village and villagers this developer sought to exploit a small window of opportunity while Backwell and North Somerset Council work on the new Local Plan, which will address the housing need and requirement.
"We are delighted that North Somerset Council has reached this correct decision and hope that Persimmon will finally accept this land is NOT deemed suitable for house building and do not return again."
Village resident Martin Powell said: "This is a relief to the local people and the obvious and sensible decision by North Somerset Council as there were so many issues that make this development unacceptable.
"It is time that Persimmon sat down with local people and had a proper discussion about Farleigh Fields, so that we are not facing these applications every few years.
"Housing is important but so is agricultural land and food supply. Backwell is a rural village, so not an appropriate place for a housing estate."
More and more green field sites across North Somerset are coming under threat from developers as North Somerset Council tries to meet its Government house building targets.
ACQUIRED PREMISES: Property developer Joseph O'Malley who is the director of 13 companies include Rokform Nailsea Ltd is behind the recent purchase at auction of upstairs at The Arcade. Mr O'Malley who hails from the Stoke area specialises in design some let's hope the half finished flat conversion gets finished soon...
Developers encircle Nailsea
Local democracy reporter Stephen Sumner has shared copy with the Bristol Post, Somerset Live and the North Somerset Times about ‘new’ moves by developers for the green fields off Clevedon Road, Nailsea.
These more detailed plans first surfaced in 2017 during a Green Belt review.
They are for up to 600 homes on a huge site to the northeast of the town in the green belt in Nailsea.
At the time Nailsea Town Council and local environments reluctantly supported the proposals in the hope of ‘saving’ massive house building off Youngwood Lane.
The development would run from Jacklands Lakes to Southfield Road trading estate.
Previous attempts going back to the 1980s were not successful but this latest project has ‘stayed on the table’.
We are told it is in multi- ownership and currently the National Grid is busy realigning the pylons which straddle the land.
It is difficult until a formal outline planning application is submitted to see if this is a serious attempt to undo our Green Belt - see map.
It has been reported that Nailsea Holdings is the consortium eyeing up 25 hectares of arable farmland on the northern edge of the town.
And that it has asked North Somerset Council to take a look at early proposals that also include two hectares of land for commercial, leisure or specialist housing to consider the environmental impact.
The authority confirmed that an environmental statement would be required.
Nailsea Holdings said in its request for a screening opinion: “Upon completion, the delivery of around 600 residential units and two hectares of land for commercial, leisure or specialist housing is likely to provide benefits in respect of local housing demand, job creation and increased spending in the area.
“The introduction of a new residential population may lead to some demand on nearby community facilities such as primary schools, healthcare facilities and secondary schools.
“However, it is considered that any effects that may require mitigation as a result of the proposed development and the increase in population would be secured by financial contributions through an appropriate mechanism (ie s106, CIL or equivalent).”
It said the potentially significant impact on the landscape would be considered in the environmental statement alongside the flood risk and the effect on ecology.
A previous scoping opinion request to the council in 2018 by Land Value Alliance - which says it focuses on “forming responsible alliances with landowners and all other stakeholders to create developments which add value to their communities” - was not followed by a planning application
A post on the firm’s website said it was pressing at political and strategic levels for the green belt that “constrains” Nailsea to be reviewed.
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Stephen Sumner is one of many local democracy reporter nationwide who are part of a BBC-funded scheme launched in 2017 to get journalists back into council chambers. The aim is to hold power to account. His main focuses are Bath and North East Somerset Council and North Somerset Council, but the role also encompasses NHS bodies and the police and fire authorities. Basically, anywhere your council tax is spent.
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