Amenity land

THE existing area of amenity land which wraps around the corner of Station Road and Trendlewood Way was refused planning permission to become residential land at the last North Somerset Council (NSC) Central Area Planning Committee (of which I am a member).

This parcel of land has always been much appreciated by the local community and it is a shame that this land has been purchased privately. If planning consent were ever to be granted in the future to change the use of the land to residential, then it is extremely likely another application for the actual housing development adjacent to the property on the corner of Station Road and Trendlewood Way will follow, severely compromising the open character of the area.

One of the nice characteristics about Nailsea, is the open aspect at all the major junctions which was designed into the town during its development. Unfortunately many of the amenity visibility splays at junctions in Nailsea are not owned by NSC. Originally Tularose developed the land at Trendlewood and the area of amenity land on the corner was due to be adopted probably by Avon County Council, as the then highway authority. This never happened and the land was left in Tularose's ownership until recently when the current owner of the property on the corner of Station Road and Trendlewood Way acquired it. Up until then NSC had been maintaining it at their expense.

Nailsea Town Council and I believe it is absolutely essential to maintain this land as open space/amenity land, and I strongly advocate that NSC take action to acquire this land even if it has to compulsory purchase this plot.

There are numerous sites around Nailsea which are not in the ownership of NSC or as yet, private individuals. Officers at NSC have now been contacted to help the town preserve/purchase these amenity spaces which contribute tremendously to the quality of life of and well being of the local community.

COUNCILLOR ANDY COLE

Nailsea East