Approval likely for aparthotel despite opposition
PLANS to build a striking aparthotel in the heart of the Ouseburn Valley could be given the green light this week – despite more than 11,000 people backing a petition against the controversial development.
The owner of the Tyne Bar, Fred Plater, launched a campaign earlier this year to stop the modern 18-bedroom project going ahead, amid fears that its proximity to the popular live music venue will “inevitably” generate noise complaints from aparthotel guests.
The petition adds that potential complaints would pose a threat to the bar’s future, adding: “We feel it would be a terrible tragedy if our music venues were to disappear at the expense of ‘swanky’ new developments jumping on to the Ouseburn bandwagon.”
However, council planning officers have expressed support for the Maling Street scheme ahead of Newcastle City Council’s planning committee ruling on the application on Friday.
They say that the development is an “important opportunity” to transform a run-down former garage and that the aparthotel “could co-exist with the neighbouring businesses and residential properties”.
A previous plan to demolish the industrial unit and build four new homes in its place was rejected by council bosses due to concerns over noise from the Tyne Bar.
However, the authority believes that the noise is less of an issue for hotel guests. A report to the committee says: “A previous application for residential use on the site was refused on the grounds that the excessive noise levels generated by the adjacent pub would result in adverse impacts on the health and quality of life of the residents and the proposal provided inadequate parking and refuse storage.
“As a hotel provides short-stay accommodation rather than an individual’s main place of residence the suitability of the use on this site is considered to be appropriate.
“There has been rigorous assessment of the current noise climate that exists in the Valley and the submission of a detailed noise attenuation scheme and proposed measures outlined in a management plan to ensure hotel guests will not be affected by noise and to minimise any impacts of the proposed hotel operation on adjacent residents.”
Miller Partnership Architects, which designed the scheme, says the aparthotel would use acoustically sealed, non-opening windows and other measures to minimise the noise heard by guests.
But that did not stop the idea being met with opposition from the 11,000 people who signed the petition.
The Tyne Bar says in the change.org petition states: “The new hotel would stand barely 40 yards from our beer garden, which hosts live music in the summer, and 100 yards from rehearsal rooms.
“We are not convinced that noise reduction measures being proposed will be enough to insulate the hotel or its guests from the live music, and that complaints and restrictions against the two venues would follow.
“We have been on Maling Street for almost 25 years, during which time the valley has changed beyond all recognition. We are in no way opposed to progress and new developments, so long as those new developments do not pose a threat to the very thing that makes the area so special.”
Planning officers have recommended the approval of the application.