Residents, local Councillors and members of Mardons Social Club committee in Westfield have expressed their dismay at reports that developer, Linden Homes, is preparing to submit a planning application to turn an area above the thriving social club into flats, which was originally designated as office space under a Section 106 planning agreement with B&NES when the old factory site was redeveloped.

The club says it fought long and hard to keep its presence on the estate, during both planning and whilst waiting for the new building to be complete, which still has leaking ceilings and parking issues still not resolved to this day, having officially opened last summer.

Recently, angry residents gathered at the clubhouse for a meeting regarding service charges for the new estate, with roads and surfaces remaining incomplete and were exasperated when they were not met by a Linden Homes representative, but someone from the estate management committee instead. Local Councillor for Westfield, Robin Moss, (Labour), reports this was also the case when he and fellow Westfield Councillor, Eleanor Jackson, requested a meeting with the developer to take a look around the office space which has failed to be let, only to be met with a PR company representative. This space has now been taken off the market, reportedly prior to a planning application for change of use to the two floors above the social club being submitted.

The Mardons committee has every right to be concerned. The potential for an application of up to fourteen flats could be problematic for the club, which has seen a new lease of life since opening and was soundproofed for the houses that surround it.With office space above, it could continue to flourish without disturbing anyone after the workers had gone home, providing a leisure resource for people on the estate and in the area. The club hosts live music every Saturday night, plus private party bookings and social gatherings during the week. If residents were living directly above it, the club says, they will be disturbed by the general hustle and bustle, would be overlooking the beer garden and smoking area, with brewery deliveries and bottle collection and restocking causing disturbance.

The shared use of the building in the original planning application was carefully planned and thought out. Next door is the Teddy Bear Nursery, which operates at different times to the social club, which was also meant to combat parking issues, with the nursery concerned that any new residents living above would be able to view the children playing outside. Mardons Social Club argue that parking is already contentious on the estate, with plans for flats, if they are submitted, potentially making the issue worse.

Speaking to The Journal this week, Cllr Robin Moss said he would be asking B&NES Council its policy on enforcing Section 106 agreements, now known as Community Infrastructure Levy, which is meant to benefit the community and to offset the effects of building new developments. He said: “This particular building on the estate was part of a wider plan, with an agreement to find a new home for Mardons Social Club, nursery and office space, so that some of the jobs lost on the old factory site would be replaced. It wasn’t the intention for Linden Homes to change their minds and suddenly decide they would rather profit from the sale of flats, than let the community gain from extra local employment opportunities.”

A spokesperson for Mardons Social Club said that if the planning application is submitted, it would make a ‘mockery’ of the local authority’s process. He said: “How long will it be before potential restrictions endanger the club’s very existence and threaten the loss of this important community facility?”

The club says it will be doing everything it can to object to the plans, and intends to launch an online petition to send to B&NES Council.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The PR company, which met with Cllrs Moss and Jackson last week, was contacted prior to going to press, but was unavailable for comment.