Case Study: Nailsea plans for the future

What were Nailsea's concerns?

To address several potentially related issues including rationalising the Council’s premises and creating further education and business opportunities within the town, Nailsea Town Council was seeking to commission a Feasibility Study for a new business and community hub building to meet their objectives and provide enhanced community facilities.

Nailsea town centre and play area

How did ONH support the project?

To manage the risks and avoid potential abortive costs ONH proposed an initial piece of work to test and confirm the needs and demand for the proposed facilities before the Town Council committed to commissioning the work required for a full Feasibility Study.

This initial piece of work comprised three elements:

• A desktop assessment of the town and its existing facilities and those within the regional area. 

• A two day visit to walk the town and carry out a ‘health check’ on the town centre, identifying gaps and opportunities, meeting with local businesses, real estate managers, service providers, town council employees and other stakeholders.

• A series of follow up scheduled meetings with the local authority Head of Economic Development and the regional service providers for business and education.

What did ONH identify in Nailsea?

It was evident from the two day visit, through the extensive walkabout, the planned meetings and the incidental conversations that the town centre had an existing mosaic of shops, facilities and services that was comprehensive and valued, and central to the identity and attractiveness of the town centre. The physical fabric of the town centre. In terms of layout and scale is also central to its character making it accessible to residents and visitors.

The opportunities to accommodate a new facility in the town centre were limited and there were questions over the impact it might have on the existing mix and balance of uses in the town centre and the risks of committing to a significant building project.   

An approach to meet the Town Council’s objectives with a series of modest projects tailored to reinforce the existing facilities was proposed. This is a flexible and low risk strategy allowing the town council to respond to changing circumstances.