The ever-popular social and live music venue Mardons is relieved to have learned that a planning application to turn the space above the venue into flats has been refused.

The club started a big campaign to stop the development which it said would have effectively killed off live music in the area.

Mardons, within the Linden homes estate opposite Norton Hill school has championed live music, local bands and free entertainment for all ages.

The decision was posted on the planning portal today (October 7) and the club responded : " We are very pleased to hear the recent application to change the intended office space above us into flats has now been refused and we would like to thank everyone who supported Mardons by raising objection comments - we really appreciate it!"

The full planning extract :

Prior Approval is required and REFUSED for 22/03211/CDCOU for the following reason(s).

1 - The application fails to demonstrate that the site has a right of access to the public highway and therefore that a safe site access can be achieved. The application has also failed to demonstrate that the proposal can provide adequate levels of vehicular and cycle parking without compromising the safe operation of the ground floor uses, which would result in an unacceptable impact to highway safety. It has not been demonstrated that the site can be adequately serviced without compromising highway safety, nor that refuse can be safely collected. As such, the proposal is considered to result in unacceptable transport impacts and fails to comply with criterion (a) of paragraph MA.2. of Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.

2 - The application has failed to demonstrate that the future occupiers would not be unacceptably impacted by noise and disturbance from the commercial premises on the ground floor of the host building. No acoustic assessment had been provided, nor adequate mitigation measures. As such, it has not been demonstrated that noise and disturbance from the ground floor uses would not result in significant harm to the future occupiers. The proposal fails to comply with criterion (d) of paragraph MA.2. of Schedule 2, Part 3, Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.

3 - There is insufficient information to assess the likely potential impacts of the proposed demolition on protected species, including bats. The Local Planning Authority is unable to discharge its duty under regulation 9(3) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 It is therefore considered that the proposals are contrary to Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

You can read about the appeal HERE