THE online community newspaper for Nailsea people, their family and their friends

October 2026

Our town is a very, very nice town

Property people

Will the front facade of Broad St Hair which has been undergoing conversion into flats with a retail frontage on the High Street finally be revealed? Will the scaffolding come down at Wessex Water after its refurbishment? And what new planning applications are in the pipeline. Read more on our page property & plans page HERE

What's On 2026

October brings spooky fun at Halloween parties, clocks fall back, and a great farmers' and community markets will be held, first (and last) firework show at North Somerset Showground and much more. Read all about What's On HERE

Gallery 2026

Our latest slideshows include the farmers' market, Nailsea MicroPub 7th birthday and a couple of Harvest Moon images this one taken by Phil Williams. View more HERE. To submit your image please email nailseapeople@gmail.com

Santa Claus doing grocery shopping at the supermarket, he is pushing a full cart and check

CHRISTMAS 2026 IS COMING

Nailsea People has its own Christmas page HERE featuring festive fare, festive fairs, festive parties, festive holidays, festive open hours, festive talks, walk and more. Email your poster/words nailseapeople@gmail.com

WRAXALL FOR KEEPS

The Local Government Boundary Commission has told residents that: "We have given careful consideration to the evidence received. While we remain of the view that The Elms has physical links to Nailsea and shares some characteristics with neighbouring residential areas in Nailsea, we have been persuaded by the evidence received that there are strong community links between The Elms and Wraxall & Failand parish, including civic, social and community connections. We also note concerns regarding the creation of a parish ward and the impact on effective and convenient local government. We have therefore been persuaded to retain The Elms within Long Ashton ward and avoid dividing Wraxall & Failand parish.

HEDGE ROW: The hedge on Whiteoak Way has been cut back. The overgrown hedge which blocked to pavement to wheelchairs and pushchairs prompted a debate on Nailsea People Facebook page with the owner saying it is cut twice a year and not in the birds nesting seasion. Earlier a Nailsea People reader said: "A bit concerned regarding the hedge blocking the pavement on the school road side of the bus stop in Whiteoak Way." But then other overgrown hedgerows were cited for being impossible to pass and another reader asked about Festival Way asked whether the local farmer with tractor is cutting their hedge this year? Originally before the trim the hedge looked like this, see photos below...the hedge blocking the pavement further along hasn't been cutback. We are told under Section 154 of the Highways Act 1980, the local highway authority can issue a notice requiring a landowner to cut back an obstructing hedge within 14 days.

Nailsea support team Kenya visit and fundraising

A team from Nailsea and Backwell RFC has returned from Kenya after aiding an FGM rescue centre.

The group of 14 self-funded their trip to Amboseli, partnering with the Divinity Foundation to support girls affected by or at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Their efforts included working in schools to educate on FGM awareness, female health, and substance coercion, as well as serving food and engaging in social activities

The group have raised £3,000 so far and is continuing their efforts by setting up a GoFundMe page to aid in the completion of the youth centre.

Donations can be made at gofundme.com/manage/divinity-foundation-youth-centre.

Spokesperson Mark Raby who led the group said: "Working in these areas was very humbling and emotional, seeing how little they have, children often living on a cup of beans a day after walking miles to school.

"Every piece of toiletries, clothing and stationery was used in different locations, putting a smile on young faces."

The group thanked everyone in North Somerset who has, so far, sponsored and donated to the cause.

While at the rescue centre the team helped lay the foundations to a youth centre being built for local children, which will be called The Nailsea & Backwell Youth Centre.

Nailsea Town Council (NTC) is asking residents to share their views on the potential devolution of local services, land and community assets.

On our September front page we outlined what is being proposed but this is the press release from the town council in its own words.

Devolution means transferring responsibility for local services, land or community assets from a larger council to a more local council, such as NTC.

The town council is currently exploring whether some assets or services currently managed by North Somerset Council could, in the future, be transferred to a more local level.

This could include green spaces, play areas, community facilities, public land or other local services. However, no decisions have been made, and the council is considering each potential transfer individually.

Devolution could bring opportunities for greater local decision-making, stronger community involvement and more influence over how local facilities are managed.

However, taking on responsibility could also mean taking on significant costs, maintenance, repairs, insurance and other long-term responsibilities.

That is why residents' views are an important part of the process.

Nailsea Town Council is asking residents to complete a short online consultation questionnaire and tell us what you think.

We want to hear your views on:

The potential benefits of greater local control
The financial and practical risks
Which local assets and facilities matter most to you
What should be prioritised
Any concerns the Council should take into account

Please take a few minutes to complete the consultation:

https://nailseatown.commonplace.is/

The more residents who take part, the better the council will understand the views and priorities of the community.

Nailsea Town Council chairperson Graham Parsons said: “No final decisions have been made.

“We are at the stage of gathering information and listening to residents.

“ It is important that people have the opportunity to tell us what they think about the potential opportunities, costs and responsibilities involved.

“I would encourage everyone in Nailsea to take part in the consultation and have their say.”

The feedback received will help inform the town council's consideration of devolution.

Any future proposals would need to be properly assessed, including their financial, legal and practical implications, before any decisions are made.

Go to https://nailseatown.commonplace.is/

For anyone who does not have access to a computer and would like help in completing the consultation please pop into our community hub at 65 High Street and they will be happy to help you. Have your say until Friday, October 30.

SEPTEMBER FRONT PAGE: Read all about it!

As explained by Nailsea Action Group there are three distinct and separate ‘plans’ ’running’ at the moment which are relevant to Nailsea – all of them, in a way, ‘local’:

The Neighbourhood Plan as mentioned above;
The North Somerset Local Plan, the final (hopefully, as the gestation period for this plan has been very long – several years now) draft of which is currently under inspection for approval which, after hearings later this year, may be accorded in the spring of 2027; and
North Somerset Devolution Plan, by which the ownership and responsibilities of various areas of land and assets will pass to local town and parish councils by agreement with them. This has been forced by NSC’s lack of funds. Where a local council is unable or unwilling to take on these responsibilities, the assets will remain with NSC, but no maintenance will be carried out. Nailsea Town Council has agreed to take on these responsibilities which otherwise for example could leave areas of the town unkempt and litter strewn as there is no extra money from NSC obviously. Fortunately, NTC does have sufficient financial resources and reserves. Very simply put, how this may work in practice, to take an example, Nailsea Croquet Club is currently on NSC property to which it pays rent. Under new arrangements ownership – and rent – will pass to NTC. Transferring these powers and responsibilities is complex and is requiring much time and thought from all concerned.

Should Nailsea take charge of its assets?

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Broad St Hair staff from Nailsea moved 'temporarily' to its Yatton salon back in November 2024 with promises of being back in March 2025.
This didn't happen.
The substantial premises in our High Street has undergone major redevelopment, with roofline changes and the addition of seven upper floot flats keeping the commercial unit facing the High Street.
Further along at 45-47 High Street attempts to include living accommodation on the ground floor of the former shops next door to the Royal Oak pub have been thwarted by North Somerset Council planners.

They said 'the application has failed to meet the requirement (to avoid need for change of use consent) to make proper effort to market these properties for sale as business premises...the business tenants were effectively forced out of thriving businesses by significantly increased service charges...'
And at Wessex Water Service the scaffolding is still up and the jury is still out as the mobile mast on top of the building was responsible for last of signals in the town centre from May to September 2026?
We have no date for complexion of the work.
Bray & Slaughter is the company appointed to refurbish multi-storey town centre building.
The work which began early this year is to give Pelican Business Services offices a 'critical infrastructure upgrade'.
A planning application to North Somerset Council said '...refurbishments to improve the building’s performance through (by fitting) replacement of windows, installation of louvred and blanking panels, relocation of an external door, installation of external MVHR plant and enclosure and installation of external signage'.
Bray & Slaughter said: "Our scope of work is designed to improve the building’s operational efficiency while creating a contemporary workspace for the Pelican team."
The changes also include the installation of a new lift, significant mechanical and electrical upgrades, Mitsubishi heating and cooling systems, essential roof repairs and upgrades and refurbishment of the WC facilities throughout the building.
The site office has been set up next door in the ground floor former School Togs shop.

SITE PLANS: Nailsea Town Council planning committee is set to discuss the revised outline planning application from Gleeson on land south of Nailsea. It currently has 217 attached documents and 384 comments on the application number 23/P/1145/OUT on the North Somerset Council planning portal HERE. The proposal for 374 homes with a new access into the site off Station Road has added noise and vibration plus environment including flood risk assessments. The town council meeting is on Wednesday, October 7, at 7.30pm in the Tithe Barn. Its 27-page agenda papers which also include Bristol Airport plans can be accessed HERE

Will they be done by Christmas?

BRISTOL AIRPORT

The latest planning application with full and outline elements and environmental statement has been submitted to North Somerset Council. It is for the expansion of Bristol Airport to enable a throughput of 15 million passengers per annum, operating within a rolling 12 month cap of 99,931 air transport movements and 4,974 night flights between the hours of 11.30pm and 6am. Full application elements comprising of extension of western apron for additional aircraft stands; reconfiguration of central and eastern aprons; construction of a passenger surface level car park for approximately 2,000 vehicles; eastern extension of existing runway by approximately 170m, with repositioned and additional aircraft approach lighting within Felton Common; taxiway and fillet widening to taxiway GOLF with a realignment at the western runway end; construction of two new taxiways; extension of surface level car rental parking area; expansion of existing Silver Zone car park to provide an additional circa 1,960 block parked vehicle spaces; construction of new surface level staff car park for approximately 1,720 vehicles; highway improvements to the A38, including upgrades to northern access roundabout, construction of a new southern roundabout and widening of the road to accommodate an additional bus lane with dedicated access onto the A38. Outline application elements comprising of three extensions to terminal building on west, north and east sides; construction of new piers to the west and east of the terminal including an underground walkway; construction of ancillary support buildings; relocated and expanded aviation fuel farm; a pedestrian bridge link;
erection of a new baggage building; erection of a
maintenance repair and overhaul hangar and ground run up pen; construction of parking decks within Silver Zone car park and car rental facility; minor works within Silver Zone car park; construction of a bus maintenance and
washing facility; site wide landscaping, drainage, lighting and other associated infrastructure.