Council approves ‘stealth’ house after three public inquiries

3W Architecture has won planning for a three-storey house on a spectacularly steep site beside the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol.

The five-bed home sparked controversy because of its location on the side of the Avon Gorge. Three public consultations were held.

Some objectors questioned whether it was safe to build there at all. Others, including English Heritage and Bristol Urban Design Forum, praised the design which renders the house almost invisible.

Councillors on Bristol’s development control committee passed the application by four votes to one, with one abstention, on Wednesday night.

Lib Dem committee member Christian Martin was quoted in the Bristol Post saying: “Wow! Quite an application in terms of its audacious proposal to blend into that escarpment.

“It has something of the James Bond about it. I’m just looking for the shark tank. I covet it already.”

The site was bought for £135,000 by developer Satyen Joshi of Chest Properties four years ago. The house has been valued at £1 million.

Rob Gregory of the Bristol Architecture Centre said: “It is great to see Bristol’s planners supporting this level of design ambition on such a sensitive site.

“Now the planning battle has been won, the next challenge relates to its realisation. The execution of the architectural details will be key to the success of this project, and we have to hope it stays in competent hands and not cynically sold on to a third party for profit.”