®Planning appeal decision
Energy Health & Fitness 9-10A the Birdge, Walsall, WS1 1LR
Planning appeal 6002505 at Energy Health & Fitness 9-10A the Birdge, Walsall, WS1 1LR (Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council) was dismissed on 2 April 2026 by Inspector Marigold O, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area and its surroundings, including the building itself, Bridge Street Conservation Area within which the site lies, and on nearby listed buildings.
full planning application for the change of use of first floor and second floor from E(d) indoor fitness to 9 self-contained flats (Use Class C3 Residential)
- Authority
- Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Marigold O
- Postcode
- WS1 1LR
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area and its surroundings, including the building itself, Bridge Street Conservation Area within which the site lies, and on nearby listed buildings
- whether the proposal would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers in respect of noise
- whether the proposal would provide adequate living conditions for future occupiers in respect of outdoor space
What decided it
The substantial harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area and the setting of listed buildings, combined with inadequate noise mitigation, outweighs the moderate benefits of nine residential units even under the tilted balance test.
The less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets and the substantial harm to living conditions from noise were weighed against the moderate positive benefits of nine residential units and efficient use of brownfield land; the harms outweighed the benefits, and the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits when assessed against the Framework as a whole.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- ENV27ENV29GP2APPLV5ENV2ENV3BX3HC2
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 215Paragraph 216
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.