A garden centre in Tickenham could be demolished to make way for bungalows and an office, if the proposals are given the go-ahead.

An outline planning application has been submitted to North Somerset Council for the development at Golden Acres Nursery in Clevedon Road.

If given the go-ahead, the plan would see the existing buildings demolished and six single-storey homes created in their place along with a self-contained single-storey office and 20 parking spaces.

The plans have been compiled on behalf of a developer who hopes to buy the site if they are passed by the council.

The owners of Golden Acres Nursery have decided to look at selling up after a few years of slow trade.

Kit Stokes of Aspect 360, the agent acting for the developer who wishes to buy the land, said: “The nursery has had a lot of money put into it recently but it is not making enough.

“There is a lot of competition around, especially with Cadbury Garden Centre and another nearby in Tickenham.

“My client is looking at providing single-storey houses with two to two-and-a-half bedrooms for people who want to design their own house, down size and remain in the area.

“We have talked to a few local people who seem quite positive about it.

“They aren’t necessarily for older people but this will probably be attractive to that market.

“Because it is in green belt it cannot be any bigger than the existing buildings on the site.

“We also have to provide some employment space as part of the council’s policies for retaining employment in the area.”

As well as the nursery, the garden centre site is home to The Potting Shed café and farm shop, which is run by Michael Dilloway.

He said: “Until the result of the application comes out we will be trading as normal.

“We will still be here in January and may look to relocate in the New Year.”

If North Somerset Council approves the application, more detailed designs will then have to be submitted as part of a reserved matters application.

The current proposals state that the existing hedgerows and trees around the boundaries will be retained.

The proposals can be viewed online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/environment and comments can be made until the end of the consultation period on June 30.