Makover for Nailsea's Glassworks site

Nailsea's historic former Glassworks site –once described as the town's biggest grotspot –is to be given a makeover.

North Somerset Council and English Heritage have agreed to jointly fund a clear-up of the High Street site after mounting concerns about its unkempt state from local councillors and residents.

The Glassworks –once Nailsea's biggest employer – has lain vacant and fallen into a state of disrepair over the years, becoming a dumping ground for litter louts and a breeding ground for colonies of rats.

The news has been welcomed by town leaders who have been campaigning for several months for a tidy-up of the site.

Nailsea Town Council clerk Ian Morrell said: "There have been a number of meetings between the town council, North Somerset and English Heritage.

"The unkempt and overgrown condition of the Glassworks is an issue which is of great concern to the council and local residents.

"As a result it has been agreed that North Somerset will work with English Heritage to clear-up the site and improve its appearance in the short term.

"The town council is very pleased that this progress has been made and we hope work will start in the near future."

Proposals for the Glassworks, which is jointly owned by North Somerset Council and local businessman Jeremy Hobbs, were in the process of being drawn up in conjunction with Edward Ware Homes.

It had been hoped to develop the land into a mix of offices, homes and shops, but as a result of the current economic climate, the plans have been put on hold.

North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said: "We are currently getting quotes for the work."