New studios and “essential repairs” are planned in an old quarry which is a haven for artists in a Somerset town.

Weston-super-Mare’s Old Town Quarry was closed suddenly in August due to health and safety concerns. Demolition of the unsafe former stone crushing building on the site began in October. Now Weston-super-Mare Town Council, which owns the quarry, has submitted a planning application to North Somerset Council for more key works to the site.

A statement submitted with the planning application said: “The former quarry site is a valued asset in Weston-Super-Mare, and requires essential repairs and upgrading of the existing accommodation to remain viable for use by local artists and visiting public. The improvements are also required to ensure usage of the current site is safe and compliant.”

You can view and comment on the plans here: https://planning.n-somerset.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=S7O9ZZLPI9U00

Essential repairs will be carried out on the main building and the weighbridge. Meanwhile, The compost toilet would be removed, with new toilets installed in the current workshop/store which would be upgraded.

The contractor’s shed will also be removed and replaced with four pre-fabricated artists studios. The statement said: “The proposed artists studios are of pre-fabricated design, a simple and spacious insulated timber structure, with large glazed frontages to maximise the use of natural light.”