Monastery could make it closer (8)
I believe the answer is:
cloister
'monastery' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'make it closer' is the wordplay.
'make' indicates anagramming the letters.
'it'+'closer'='itcloser'
'itcloser' with letters rearranged gives 'CLOISTER'.
'could' is the link.
(Other definitions for cloister that I've seen before include "Place of religious seclusion, a convent say" , "Monastery's arcaded walk" , "Covered walkway round a cathedral courtyard" , "Cathedral's covered walk" , "'Religious retreat, a convent, say (8)'" .)