Clear the area (5)
I believe the answer is:
plain
I believe this is a double definition.
'clear' is the first definition.
(similar in meaning)
'area' is the second definition.
(I have seen 'area of land' mean 'plain' so perhaps 'area' could also mean 'plain')
'the' is the link.
(Other definitions for plain that I've seen before include "patent" , "Simple, unadorned" , "Unadorned on flat area" , "Evident; not fancy" , "lacking special beauty" .)