Long-awaited plans to build new homes on the fringes of Nailsea which will also unlock improvements to the town's rugby club have taken a step forward.
Nailsea Town Council agreed to sell off land at Engine Lane several years ago to Barratt David Wilson to bring forward a development of 183 homes.
Planning permission for the development, which would see a mix of family homes and affordable housing, was agreed in 2017.
The development includes land currently used by Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Football Club for its sports pitches.
As part of the agreement new, improved pitches would be provided on neighbouring land, with the rugby club given a further £400,000 to improve its clubhouse and other facilities.
However, three years on, the scheme has yet to move forward due to complications involving the building of a new 37 mile power line by National Grid.
Initially the energy giant stipulated no homes could be built within a 10 metres easement of the power line.
But over the years, and as the project progressed, this was expanded to 16 metres, resulting in the number of homes on the site being reduced to 171.
An agreement, along with the location of new link boxes where the cable is joined underground, has now seemingly been reached, meaning the development can move forward.
The latest plans need to be signed off by Sport England before work can begin.
The majority of the land earmarked for the development is owned by Nailsea Town Council.
Smaller parts are owned by local landowners.
Find out what's on near you, powered by In Your Area:
It is now hoped that the deal to sell off the land can be finalised.
All money generated from the sale on land will be spent on various, yet to be decided projects in the town.
Nailsea Town Council clerk Jo Duffy said: “The town council was keen to develop this land as it could have some control of the sort of development which went on the land which would benefit the people of Nailsea and bring improvements to the rugby club.
“Although planning permission was granted in 2017 there have been a number of delays due to the building on the new power line by National Grid.
For the latest news in and around Bristol, visit and bookmark Bristol Live's homepage.
You can follow us on Twitter here and on Facebook here and here.
You can also join our traffic and travel, crime and parenting Facebook groups.
