Stuffy-sounding space base contacted local base (5)
I believe the answer is:
nasal
'stuffy-sounding' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nasal that I've seen before include "Relating to a facial organ" , "Hooters" , "of central feature" , "Part of helmet" , "To do with nose, say sound" .)