New indoor tots' play area in former furniture shop among latest planning applications

A former furniture shop could be turned into an indoor play area for toddlers under new plans recently submitted. Each week Bristol City Council receives dozens of planning applications seeking permission for a whole range of developments.

Over the past seven days, those applications also included turning offices into 30 homes, a new store for adventurous Scouts and a replacement church roof to stop leaks. Here’s this week’s round-up of notable planning applications submitted to the council.

Every week dozens are validated by the local authority and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals. All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public. Anyone is also allowed to submit comments about the applications — whether in support or objection.

Read more:

• Plans for 22-storey tower block for 530 students near Temple Meads

• General Election July 2024: All the MP candidates in the Bristol region

The majority of applications are decided by planning officers at the council under delegated powers. However, some will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees. No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined. They can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Bristol City Council’s website.

Try BristolLive Premium for FREE with no ads and new features

Children’s play area for vacant furniture store

A former furniture shop in Wells Road, Totterdown, could be converted into a play area for youngsters aged up to five. The proposed change of use, by Tots & Teapots, includes a cafe although it would serve only cold snacks or heating up food such as toasted sandwiches, and no commercial kitchen appliances will be installed.

The ground floor was previously a furniture store but has been vacant for four months, according to planning documents. The applicants’ agents said the proposed use had been previously allowed in the property.

They told the council: “There would be a booking system which would allow for up to 30 mothers and 30 children maximum but expectations on most sessions would be 15 mothers and 20 children. The reintroduction of a children’s play area/cafe would support and add to the mix of uses in the area whilst also providing a valuable service to the local community.” It would be open 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and for private functions on Sunday.

Offices to 30 flats

A vacant three-storey office building could be turned into 30 new flats. Developers are asking the council to approve a change of use of 1960s L-shaped block Somerset House at Canynge Road, Clifton.

New rules allow commercial buildings to become homes without the need for planning permission, so the owners, Acorn Property Group, are requesting the local authority grants ‘prior approval’. The council previously gave this for the site but it has now lapsed.

No external changes are proposed and there are 32 existing car parking spaces. Planning agents said the proposals would rejuvenate the block and contribute to Bristol’s housing supply.

Scouting store

A building to store equipment for Scouts taking part in an arduous outdoor expedition on Dartmoor could be built next to their existing Scout hut. Bristol’s 169th Scout Group has been based at Tranmere Avenue, Brentry, for more than 75 years and participates in the annual Ten Tors Challenge on Dartmoor.

The event is attempted by 2,400 teenagers in 400 teams of six who navigate routes of 35, 45 or 55 miles, depending on age, over the northern half of the Devon national park, visiting 10 checkpoints over one weekend every May, with everyone having to be self-sufficient, carrying everything they need and camping out overnight. The Bristol group has applied for planning permission for a new wooden building on its site to keep its Ten Tors equipment.

New church hall roof

A leaking roof that has forced Redcliffe Methodist Church to stop using its main hall would be replaced. Faithspace has applied for planning consent to fix the problems at the locally listed building in Prewett Street which have caused structural issues to the precast curved concrete and rooflights.

Planning documents said these were made worse by birds nesting on the sheltered location and leaves blocking the outlets. Architects said: “Due to these ongoing issues the Main Hall is presently unused.

“The proposed works will bring the building back into operational use providing usable space not only for the Faithspace but also for the wider community. As the building is Locally Listed, sympathetic alterations are proposed, and any loss of historic fabric is being kept to a minimum, and within an area not visible to the general public from street level.”