Community blasts ‘environment-damaging’ planning application

Community members from across Southmead, Westbury and Horfield are calling on the council to reject a retrospective planning application on environmental grounds.

A David Lloyd Club put in the application after installing a floodlit outdoor padel court and social area that campaigners say impacts negatively on local nature and wildlife.

The Friends of Badock’s Wood (FoBW), opposing the changes to the club which sits next to the green space, have said the planning proposal is “unacceptable,” due to the adverse impact on “the health and wellbeing of both the nature and the community using the wood.”

“Unlike the private members’ club, Badock’s Wood is an important resource for all the people of Southmead and the surrounding areas, regardless of income,” an FoBW spokesperson said.

Badock’s Wood is a designated Local Nature Reserve and Site of Nature Conservation Interest that is managed for wildlife, and sits within a designated wildlife corridor running alongside the River Trym.

Bristol’s Local Plan defines it as a ‘Local Green Space’, one of only 11 such sites across the city. The criteria for the designation are beauty, tranquillity, richness of wildlife, historic significance and recreational value.

In December 2023 the David Lloyd club on Greystoke Avenue removed a tennis court and replaced it with two walled-in padel courts with artificial turf, hard glass walls, high floodlighting, and an outdoor sports bar with plastic grass and patio heaters.

Linda Wilson, FoBW’s chair, said, “The club had no planning permission for this development.  They have undertaken similar developments for which they had to apply for planning permission at their clubs across the country so would have been well aware planning permission was needed.”

FoBW, along with neighbouring residents, are concerned about the effect on the wood’s tranquillity, the impact of noise and lighting on wildlife and the release of microplastics into the environment, particularly the local river.

“If this application was to be permitted it would be a travesty of natural justice in every way,” said Wilson.

“Bristol is a city where we have recognised both a climate and an ecological emergency and where a huge amount of effort is being put into achieving vital nature recovery.

“Badock’s Wood is a very special site not only for local people but also for the whole of Bristol, and should not be damaged by one private club. It is used by hundreds of people every day, and is a very important urban wildlife site.

“This proposal shows no recognition of its climate and ecological impacts and we are totally opposed to it. Their ecological appraisal, which has only recently been undertaken months after the work was done and long after the application was submitted, is poor quality.”

The wood is provides habitat for a multitude of species including the thick-legged flower beetles that are pollinators for wildflowers such as ox-eye daisy and cow parsley, and food for birds and toads

David Lloyd made their initial planning application in February, which both the council’s conservation and pollution officers were dissatisfied with.

The club has since worked to meet council demands, and has also withdrawn a planning proposal for a spa building extension and garden with heating, lighting and artificial grass.

FoBW suggests this is a tactic to prevent the two applications being considered together, meaning their cumulative impact will not be addressed at once.

Southmead councillor Kye Dudd has made a member’s call-in request for this application to be debated publicly.

“Badock’s Wood is a much-loved Local Nature Reserve, home to a wide array of wildlife such as badgers, bats, and tawny owls,” he said.

“There’s been a tremendous amount of concern locally, as residents worry the new floodlights could adversely affect local wildlife.

“Concerns have also been raised with me about the quality of the ecology reports commissioned by David Lloyd. I understand that the initial report only took into account the impact on bats, and not any other species found in Badock’s Wood.

“I have requested a call-in of this application so it’s decided by the council planning committee, rather than officers, and residents have an opportunity to raise these issues publicly.”

The wood is home to spindle trees, seen here in fruit, which host the spindle ermine moth

Responding to Bristol24/7, a David Lloyd spokesperson said: “At David Lloyd Clubs we are committed to making a positive contribution in the communities and environment in which we operate. The impact on the local environment is a key consideration when planning any new investments at our clubs.

“We have worked with a team of planning consultants to ensure that our plans will have minimal impact on wildlife, the environment and local residents, and are pleased that the council’s experts are in agreement.”

As planning authority, the council is unable to officially comment on a live planning application.

All photos: Friends of Badock’s Wood

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