Acres

60

Acres

New homes

450

New Homes

Affordable

35%

Affordable

Tick

Provision for a new Community Centre

Investing with Confidence

Mac Mic was introduced to the North Somerset town of Nailsea in 2010, at a time when the aftershocks of the 2008 financial crisis were still suppressing land markets and limiting investment. An agent acting for two local families approached us with an off-market opportunity on the edge of the town, reflecting a longstanding and trusted professional relationship.

While the opportunity was relatively unknown, we were prepared to invest when others were holding back. Detailed due diligence confirmed the site’s long-term potential and justified a commitment to progress the land through the planning system.

Identifying Strategic Value

Nailsea’s location within the Bristol commuter belt, supported by a railway station and strong connectivity, underpinned its strategic appeal. Despite these advantages, the town had seen little recent investment, with no significant residential development since the 1970s and 1980s.

This lack of growth had contributed to wider challenges, including declining school enrolment and pressure on the town centre. These factors reinforced the case for carefully planned growth.

Community Engagement and Vision

Significant time was spent engaging with the local community to understand priorities and build support for a long-term vision for Nailsea. Proposals focused on delivering new homes while helping safeguard the future of the local primary school and supporting regeneration of the shopping centre.

This engagement helped shape a scheme aligned with local needs and strengthened its planning case.

Securing Control and Promotion

In December 2013, Mac Mic secured agreements over land to the north of Youngwood Lane and promoted the site to North Somerset Council for approximately 450 new homes.

Following an extended period of consideration in the context of the emerging Local Plan, outline planning permission was secured through a successful appeal.

Sale and Delivery

With planning certainty in place, the site was taken to market and sold to Taylor Wimpey in July 2020. The development is now delivering much-needed new homes for the West of England while unlocking full value for the landowners.

A Resilient Outcome

The Nailsea project demonstrates the value of early commitment, strategic promotion and persistence through the planning process. By investing at the right time and engaging constructively with both the community and the planning system, Mac Mic was able to realise long-term value from a previously overlooked opportunity.

Working with Mac Mic felt more like collaborating with a partner as they shared my vision of creating a thriving new community that contributed towards the existing village rather than detracting from it.

Stuart Clumpas - Landowner, Killearn, Stirlingshire

Background shape

Mac Mic’s persistence, patience and expertise unlocked an extremely attractive development opportunity of high quality that CALA were delighted to be able to partner with them on.

Moray Stewart - Land Director, CALA Homes