Planning appeal decision
163A Church Road, Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9LA
Planning appeal 6007591 at 163A Church Road, Redfield, Bristol, BS5 9LA (Bristol City Council) was dismissed on 30 July 2026 by Inspector R Cahalane, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the use on the living conditions of surrounding residential occupiers, with particular regard to noise disturbance.
change of use of the rear yard to allow the use of a community sauna and ice baths with changing facilities
- Authority
- Bristol City Council
- Appeal type
- Planning
- Procedure
- Written
- Development
- leisure-sport
- Inspector
- R Cahalane
- Postcode
- BS5 9LA
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the use on the living conditions of surrounding residential occupiers, with particular regard to noise disturbance
- the effect on the living conditions of surrounding residential occupiers, with particular regard to privacy
- whether residential occupiers of No 163A Church Road are afforded with sufficient usable communal external amenity space
- the effect on highway safety, with particular regard to parking provision
- whether the use provides appropriate servicing facilities
What decided it
The cumulative harm to residential living conditions in terms of noise, privacy and amenity space, combined with unacceptable highway safety risks and lack of appropriate servicing facilities, conflicts with the development plan as a whole and material considerations do not indicate a decision should be made otherwise than in accordance with the plan.
The social benefits of the community facility in supporting health and wellbeing were outweighed by the significant adverse impacts on residential living conditions, highway safety and lack of appropriate servicing facilities, which conflict with the development plan as a whole and the Framework's requirements for well-designed places and safe living conditions.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- BDFCS Policy BCS7BDFCS Policy BCS10BDFCS Policy BCS12BDFCS Policy BCS20BDFCS Policy BCS21BDFCS Policy BCS23BLP Policy DM5BLP Policy DM7BLP Policy DM23BLP Policy DM27BLP Policy DM29BLP Policy DM30BLP Policy DM33BLP Policy DM35
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 98Paragraph 116Paragraph 124Paragraph 198
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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More decisions in Bristol City Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
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- Dismissed19 October 2026601047046 Berkeley Road, Speedwell, Bristol, BS16 3NB
- Dismissed12 October 202660153491 Kennard Road, St George, BS15 8AA
- Dismissed12 August 20266005564Chasefield House, 888 Fishponds Road, Bristol, BS16 3XB
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.
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