Plans to open a new micro bar in South Shields have been thrown out over fears that drinkers and late-night noise could disturb nearby residents.
South Tyneside Council has refused permission to transform a former financial services premises at 66A Stanhope Road into a bar catering for up to 30 customers, despite the applicant proposing soundproofing measures and restrictions on outdoor drinking.
The proposed venue, in the town’s West Park ward, would have been allowed to stay open until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, but planning officers ruled that the potential disturbance to neighbours outweighed the benefits of the development.
The commercial property was previously used for financial services and, before that, as a dessert delivery takeaway. The plans aimed to convert the site into a micro bar with an indoor seating area and toilets.
Some permissions were already in place for the micro bar, including a relevant licence approved by South Tyneside Council.
The planning application proposed opening hours of 10am to 10pm, Monday to Thursday, 10am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am to 10pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The applicant also confirmed that the micro bar’s maximum capacity would be 30 people and that noise from amplified music and live entertainment would be limited through soundproofing and other restrictions, as well as signs asking customers to leave quietly and respect neighbours.
It was also noted that there would be “no permitted drinking outside, only a smoking area at the rear of the micro bar that is enclosed”.
However, the measures were not enough to convince council planning officers, who refused the application on October 9.
Officers raised concerns about the “very close proximity of the application site to residential properties” and the impact of customers arriving and leaving the premises, both at the front and rear, particularly in the evenings.
A council decision report argued that the proposed micro bar and associated customer activity, including outside the premises, would “give rise to noise pollution and other disturbance”.
It said the plans would be “significantly harmful to the residential amenity of those occupying neighbouring residential properties”.
Only one public representation was submitted during the consultation, with the objector stating that the application would cause “unacceptable levels of noise and general disturbance”.
Council planners argued that the “adverse effects” of the micro bar proposal would “substantially outweigh” the economic and social benefits of the development.
It was also noted that the proposed South Shields micro bar was “materially different to the permitted and previous commercial uses in terms of its potential to impact upon the residential amenity of neighbouring residential occupiers”.
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The applicant can challenge the council’s decision by lodging an appeal with the national Planning Inspectorate.
For more information, visit the council’s planning portal and search for reference 260451.
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