A 173-SPACE car park could soon be built on greenbelt land on the outskirts of Nailsea, after plans were approved by the local authority.

North Somerset Council’s planning and regulatory committee approved plans by GE Oil and Gas to build a new car park on land adjacent to its High Street base.

Permission was granted with a condition the car park cannot be used at the weekend.

The company applied to build the amenity to alleviate parking problems caused by employees leaving their cars in nearby streets and it has been designed to allow the site to be easily restored once it has stopped being used.

GE Oil and Gas currently has 572 staff, and 92 vacancies advertised, but only 238 parking spaces.

Nailsea Town Council is pleased the application has been approved as it will ease parking problems and support GE Oil and Gas, which is a huge boost to the district’s economy.

Town council clerk, Ian Morrell, said: “The town council planning committee supported the application because, although it’s on greenbelt, there’s precedent elsewhere in the district, and it’s temporary consent.

“It alleviates problems in the roads nearby, especially Lodge Lane, and GE Oil and Gas is one of the major employers in the district.

“Given all these factors, the town council felt it was a worthwhile application and supported it.

“If it helps to retain GE Oil and Gas and their staff in Nailsea, that’s a good thing for the town. It’s not just the jobs in the town they provide, it’s the contribution to the local economy.”