# 846 Chester Road, Stretford

- **Decision:** dismissed, 26 August 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: J Smith
- **Authority:** Trafford (North West)
- **Appeal reference:** 6010095
- **Application reference:** 118677/VAR/26
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** s73 variation of acoustic verification condition on café-to-bar (sui generis) permission, below a residential flat
- **Site context:** inside-settlement
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** August 2026 NPPF
- **Determinative policies:** P3(2)(b)
- **Development plan policies:** Trafford Core Strategy 2012 L7, Places for Everyone 2024 JP-P1
- **Main issues:** living conditions — noise
- **Tags:** tier-2, s73-variation, noise, limited-nppf-engagement

## Summary
Application to replace a condition requiring acoustic verification of the ceiling insulation below a flat with a music-only trigger. Dismissed: "Music is not the sole source of noise … the proposed revision to Condition 9 would not adequately control all sources of noise" (DL ¶7). The letter decides the case on plan policy and never cites the Framework.

## What made the difference
The appellant's own noise assessment predicted internal levels of about 83 dB. The absence of complaints was not evidence of acceptability: "The objective should be to prevent such harm from arising in the first place" (DL ¶10). Community support attracted only "limited, yet positive weight" (DL ¶15).

## Policy findings
- **P3(2)(b): fail.** revised condition controls only live music; patron noise from up to 80 customers (NIA predicts ~83 dB internal) unmitigated for flat above; decided under plan policy L7 and JP-P1, Framework not cited (DL 5-16)
- **P4: neutral.** agent-of-change argument rejected because neighbouring parade uses are quiet daytime uses (DL 12)

## Key facts
- Appellant's own NIA predicted ~83 dB internal noise against the proposed 66 dB music limit
- Bar capacity about 80 patrons, directly below a first-floor flat

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/ea9a1134-7fa2-4e73-a329-50e1ca568159
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6010095

---

Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6010095.html

A summary of a public planning decision, written from the decision letter. Not legal advice. © Planning Distilled. Released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): share and adapt freely, with credit to Planning Distilled. Quotations from decision letters, plans and the Framework remain the copyright of their publishers.