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."