THE former Rentokil depot in Frampton Cotterell can be used for a new gospel hall and three family houses, a planning inspector has ruled.

Planners on South Gloucestershire Council had turned down the application earlier this year but Freshwater Design and Build successfully appealed to have the decision reviewed.

Councillors had argued that the site in Court Road should be kept for employment use.

Local residents had also objected to the scheme, claiming large numbers of people going to the hall would lead to problems with noise, on-street parking and access into the road.

There was concern especially about monthly meetings that could involve congregations of up to 270 people, as well as weekly events bringing in up to 125 and other meetings on Sundays and Mondays.

But Freshwater, which had submitted the scheme for the Greenfield Gospel Hall Trust, said there would be parking spaces on the site, together with an extra overflow parking area.

Inspector Jonathan Manning said he acknowledged there were concerns among residents regarding the "comings and goings" from the hall.

But he said the use of the site was likely to be less intensive than when it was used for Rentokil's pest control business and previous general industry.

Mr Manning said: "I accept there is likely to be some disturbance on a Sunday, particularly for the monthly, larger, early service. However, this would be infrequent and any harm would not be sufficient to result in the refusal of the appeal.”

He also said efforts had been made in the marketing of the site to find alternative employment use.