Bid to turn former college building into apartments
AREDUNDANT college building in Nailsea could be transformed into apartments and the library relocated as part of ambitious plans for the town centre.
Developments Bristol has purchased the former Weston College site in Somerset Square with a view to redeveloping it into apartments with a retail unit on the ground floor.
It is also possible that the town’s library building could be sold and included within the development, with the library being relocated elsewhere in Nailsea.
The firm, headed by local businessman Paul O’Brien, is currently in talks with Nailsea Town Council, North Somerset Council – which own the library – and the town centre owners Praxis.
Mr O’Brien said the plans were very much at the “discussion stage” but said he hoped the development would provide a mix of private, shared ownership and affordable homes for local people.
The former Weston College building has laid vacant in the town for over a decade and over the years has become an eyesore.
Mr O Brien said: “We are currently in the very early stages of discussions for this site. We want to come up with a scheme that works for everyone and takes into consideration the community buildings. The idea
is to have retail below and apartments above but nothing is yet set in stone.
“This development will regenerate what is something of an eyesore in Nailsea town centre and provide homes for local people.”
Developments Bristol has already carried out some major projects in the town.
It 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.
If plans are agreed, building work could start on the old college site early in 2022.