Appeal lodged after flats refused near music venue
LDRSPlans for flats near a music venue are to be decided by a government-appointed planning inspector following an appeal.
Sunderland City Council refused plans to turn the property above Dr Q's Food Factory in Holmeside into two, one-bedroom flats near the grassroots music venue and nightclub, Independent.
The plans were rejected in November over fears future tenants could complain about noise from the venue.
The appeal will now be considered by the planning inspector.
An objection from charity Music Venue Trust said noise complaints impacting music venues was a UK-wide issue and the proposed flats plan presented an "increased risk" of noise complaints from residents.
The charity believed the proximity of the flats would "place the future of the grassroots music venue under sustained risk of permanent closure".
A five-bedroom flat in the same space was rejected in April over similar concerns.
Noise concerns
In the planning application, the developer said a full noise assessment had been carried out and recommendations had been incorporated to "address the noise concerns from neighbouring premises".
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, council planners had argued that it had "not been demonstrated that future occupiers would be afforded an acceptable standard of living in respect of impacts of noise".
It has now been confirmed the applicant is contesting the council's decision and has submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
In the appeal, the developer said a planning condition could be imposed that would require the flats to have a "particular sound insulation specification".
A planning inspector will now be appointed to rule on the matter, which could see the local authority's refusal decision upheld or thrown out.