ALLOTMENTS, a community orchard, wetlands, an informal recreation field and a wooden play area look set to transform the Nailsea landscape.

Weston-based green space specialists, The Next Field, unveiled three proposals for Gaulacre, a ten-acre stretch of land at Engine Lane, at the Tithe Barn on Thursday.

The fields, which have been leased to a local farmer since Nailsea Town Council bought them in 2008 for sport and recreation, will also include improved access roads and paths and a 42-space car park.

The existing rugby pitches, used by Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Club, will be kept, with better access and use of the new car park when needed.

There is also potential for a junior football pitch to be added next to the rugby pitches in two options with the third suggesting a pitch for shared use.

The recreation area will contain woodland including a diamond jubilee copse, picnic benches, footpaths and seating, all made from natural materials.

The orchard will be available to schools and local organisations to use and tenants at the 50-55 allotments will have their own 10-15 space car park.

The town council’s leisure facilities committee, which decided a feasibility study needed to be done to look at various options for the site, commissioned The Next Field in February.

Ideas were sketched and the committee chose its three favourites to be put forward for public consultation.

Company director Peter Wilkinson said: “The mix of uses, from mini rugby to food growing, will make the site feel busy, welcoming, inclusive and benefit the wider community.

“Apart from the football pitch, the rest of the capital investments are relatively inexpensive, with scope for the main interest groups to fundraise for their own area of the site.”

A drop-in session for the public to have its say on which option should be adopted will be held tomorrow (Thurs), from 3.30-8pm in the Tithe Barn hall.

Anyone who wants to comment on the options being considered or give their own opinion on the future use of the land, can complete a questionnaire available at the event, or down-load it by logging onto www.nailseatowncouncil.gov.uk