A developer is hoping to transform an empty building in Nailsea into 10 three-bedroom houses.

North Somerset Times: What the new homes could look like in the former Royal Oak Garage.What the new homes could look like in the former Royal Oak Garage. (Image: Archant)

Rollo Homes Ltd is proposing to convert the former Royal Oak Garage, in High Street, into 10 three-storey homes.

Kit Stokes, from Aspect 360, gave a presentation to Nailsea Town Council on behalf of the developer on February 17.

He said: “This is a really special building for the town.

“It’s a listed building and my client has purchased it with the intention of retaining its character and turning it into 10 three-bedroom homes with some commercial space which fronts onto High Street.

North Somerset Times: A computer generated image of the proposed new homes in the Royal Oak Garage.A computer generated image of the proposed new homes in the Royal Oak Garage. (Image: Archant)

“There’s space for 20 car parking spaces and still lots of space left over, so we need to come up with ideas for it because it’s an important area.”

The building was part of Nailsea Glassworks and later became a garage, but it has been empty for many years.

Hobbs Properties was given planning permission to turn the building into an indoor and outdoor market in 2011, but the new owner is now keen to turn the site into new properties.

Councillors raised concerns about the size of the homes as the authority wants more starter homes and properties for downsizing in the town.

Councillor Rod Lees said: “I think it looks quite interesting, but as a development it’s totally wrong for the area.

“We want starter houses, not three-bedroom houses. I would encourage you to look at one or two-bedroom units.

Councillor Neil Middleton added: “A house with three storeys is totally inappropriate for downsizing.”