Newcastle aparthotel to get go ahead despite objections
UK: Plans for an aparthotel in the Ouseburn Valley could be given the green light this week despite more than 11,000 people signing a petition against the development.
Council planning officers have expressed support for the Maling
Street scheme ahead of Newcastle City Council's planning committee
ruling on the application next Friday.
They say that the development is an "important opportunity" to
transform a rundown 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.
The owner of the Tyne Bar, Fred Plater, launched a campaign
earlier this year to stop the 18-key project going ahead, amid
fears that its proximity to the 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, the council believes that the noise is less of an issue
for 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 public house would
result in adverse impacts on the health and quality of life of the
prospective residents and the proposal provided inadequate parking
and refuse storage provision. 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."