![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_The-Bull-Inn-5.jpg\")
The Bull Inn in Crews Hole, Bristol, has metal shutters on its door and windows after closing in 2023(Image: LDRS)<\/p>\nBristol City Council had tried to close The Bull InnThe Bull Inn in Crews Hole, Bristol, has metal shutters on its door and windows after closing in 2023(Image: LDRS)<\/p>\n
\u2018Ridiculous\u2019 plans to bulldoze an historic Bristol pub and replace it with a block of flats have been refused following huge local opposition.<\/p>\n
Developers wanted to demolish The Bull Inn<\/a> in Crews Hole and build a three-storey block with nine apartments.<\/p>\n But government planning inspectors have rejected the proposals<\/a> after ruling that the loss of the pub had not been justified and that the scheme would harm the Avon Valley Conservation Area.<\/p>\n Bristol City Council<\/a> tried unsuccessfully to close it down in 2021 when its licensing sub-committee revoked the premises licence following breaches of covid rules and complaints from neighbours about fights, disturbances and noise.<\/p>\n The authority changed its mind the following March to avoid a costly appeal at the magistrates court, but the pub, classed as a non-designated heritage asset, shut in 2023 after racking up debts.<\/p>\n The decision to refuse planning permission for the flats on Tuesday, May 6, was made by the Planning Insectorate after the developers, Wellington Pub Company, bypassed the council, whose department is in special measures, and applied directly to the government body.<\/p>\n In its submission, the local authority opposed the redevelopment<\/a>, arguing the nearest alternative drinking holes were too far away and up a steep hill, and that claims The Bull Inn in Crews Hole Road was no longer viable as a business had not been proven.<\/p>\n Forty-six residents<\/a> and St George Community Association Development Group also objected<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sign up to receive daily news updates and breaking news alerts straight to your inbox for free here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n The inspectorate agreed and refused consent, saying the public benefits of the plans did not outweigh the loss of the architecturally important building, which has been there 125 years, while the site has been a pub since 1803.<\/p>\n Its report said that although a viability assessment on behalf of the applicants concluded that the pub would be too uneconomic to reopen, this was not supported by evidence and was based on \u201cgeneralised assertions\u201d rather than facts and figures in the accounts.<\/p>\n The inspector wrote that it was also not clear that the owners had made sufficient efforts to sell the property to another pub operator or diversify its services to the public.<\/p>\n Their report said: \u201cThe design of the proposed building would preserve the character and appearance of the area.\u201d<\/p>\n It said the benefits included the nine new homes and bringing the site back into use.<\/p>\n But the inspector said: \u201cThe proposal would entail the demolition of the existing building and the comprehensive loss of the non-designated heritage asset (NDHA).<\/p>\n \u201cThis would constitute harm to the NDHA and its contribution to the conservation area would be permanently lost and the character and appearance of the conservation area would be heavily diluted as a result.\u201d<\/p>\n The report said the pub was a reminder of the area\u2019s industrial heritage, including coal-mining, quarrying and lead-mining in the 18th and 19th centuries.<\/p>\n It said: \u201cThe public house would have been a central focus and important attribute, serving a working-class industrial community by providing respite and recreation.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not consider the site has been shown to be one which can be described as suitable.<\/p>\n \u201cThe benefits of the proposal would not outweigh the harm arising from the scale of the loss, which would be comprehensive and permanent.<\/p>\n \u201cThe proposal would result in the loss of a public house and community facility.<\/p>\n \u201cThe proposal would cause harm to the character and appearance of the Avon Valley Conservation Area and would result in the comprehensive loss of a non-designated heritage asset, which are not sufficiently outweighed by public benefits or other considerations.\u201d<\/p>\n Join Bristol Live\u2019s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose \u2018Exit group\u2019.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_WhatsApp-Phone.jpg\")
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