Developer loses last-ditch appeal to build homes
A government planning inspector has refused a final appeal by a property developer to build new homes in Ashley Down.
Martin Thomas wanted to construct three houses on a patch of land behind Ashgrove Avenue and York Avenue currently occupied by eight garages that date back to the 1950s. Each house was designed for four people and would have been built with energy saving materials to include triple glazing, solar panels and air-source heat pumps.
Bristol City Council received more than 40 objections to the proposals, with just four people expressing support. The outline planning application was refused in June, with the council saying it represented “an intrusive, cramped and incongruous form of over-development in this backland setting”.
Planners’ objections included the narrow access lane and size of the development in relation to neighbouring homes.
A government planning inspector visited the site in October after Mr Thomas appealed against the city council’s decision. That appeal was formally dismissed earlier this month.
