Plan for rooms approved despite noise concerns
BUT LOCALS NOT HAPPY
A GATESHEAD pub is set to welcome overnight guests despite a last-minute intervention by the local MP.
Councillors on Gateshead Council’s planning and development committee gave the green light to the Woodman’s Arms pub on Fellside Road near Whickham to provide five hotel bedrooms – despite residents’ fears the move would create a “party hotel”.
Locals objected to the plans on the grounds of noise complaints and said the pub and its existing services cause significant noise nuisance to nearby homes.
As well as representations from Blaydon MP Liz Twist, ward councillors Marilynn Ord and Jonathan Wallace also called for the application to be deferred until noise is controlled to “the satisfaction of nearby residents”. The application received eight objections from locals.
Speaking at a meeting, a spokesman for local residents said there was a need for a “clear and robust noise management plan to be put in place”.
He added: “This was previously a family pub closed most nights before our bedtimes – happy times.
“The business is now a busy entertainment venue. Capacity has grown from 200 to 500. Our area is not short of hotel capacity.”
Coun Wallace added: “The site is a residential area and there are ongoing issues with noise.
“Noise continues to be a problem for residents often long into the night.
“Much of this is due to large numbers of people congregating outside the pub in the car park.
“Without a resolution to these problems, residents can’t support it. They need to be resolved before this application is decided.
“The residents currently feel that what is proposed (to stop the noise) is inadequate.”
But the council’s development control manager warned that deferring the application could leave the council open to an appeal by the applicant to the planning inspectorate, meaning the decision would be taken out of members’ hands.
Coun Robert Waugh added: “I’m just concerned that today seems to be slipping from a planning application for a new use to complaining about what is already permitted.”
The proposals were approved by 12 votes to five with one abstention.
PUB SET TO PROVIDE FIVE BEDROOMS –