Plans have been approved to build 13 homes on a patch of inner-city scrubland and create a nature reserve.

Council planning officials told councillors that a properly-managed wildlife sanctuary together with the new homes would be an improvement at the site next to Stibbs Hill in St George.

A Weston-super-Mare-based firm called Land Promotions Ltd plans to build 10 three-bed and three two-bed homes on the southern edge of the site near Marion Road.

The nature reserve would occupy the northern area of the site where most of the mature trees are located.

Councillors decided to give consent at a council planning committee. The site is currently covered by dense scrub, scattered trees, bracken, hedgerows, shrubs and stone walls.

It is believed there were two cottages on the site which were occupied during the 1960s but they were demolished during the 90s.

There was also a quarry and a mill on the site but they were removed at the turn of the last century. Bats have been seen on the site and badgers have used the area for years.

Fifteen residents who live near the site objected to the scheme, saying the site was open space and should be left as such.

They were worried that the natural wildlife would be lost and preferred to see the site develop as natural woodland or be used as an open play space.

But planning officers said the site could be protected by imposing planning conditions.