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Neighbouring churches set to become music venues

Eleanor Storey
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Paul Moseley/BBC We can the 19th century church on a road in Norwich. Across the street we can see another church - and three cars are parked on the road. Above, is a bright blue sky with light cloud.Paul Moseley/BBC
The United Reformed Church in Norwich city centre closed almost five years ago

Two neighbouring churches will be turned into live music venues, despite objections from local residents.

Norwich City Council has approved the applications to transform the United Reformed Church (URC) in Princes Street and St Michael at Plea in Redwell Street.

A meeting of the planning committee heard some people living in the area feared increased noise and traffic in the surrounding cobbled streets, but a petition supporting the plans was signed by more than 700 people.

Both applicants succeeded in persuading councillors the cultural and economic benefits of the proposals outweighed any harm.

Maddox Planning We can see a computer generated image of how the upper part of the building would look. There is pew type seating laid out in a horseshoe formation, with a grand piano on the lower floor.Maddox Planning
The developers said the former United Reformed Church would have a "wide range" of uses including gigs, classical music concerts and weddings

The plans for the URC sought permission to turn it into an arts centre and events space, hosting concerts, classical music performances, art exhibitions and fitness classes.

The venue, which has been closed since 2020, will host up to 300 people, and some objectors feared it would become a nightclub.

Issues raised at a meeting discussing the plans included fears about noise, anti-social behaviour and traffic, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Andrew Cousens said: "This is a quiet, peaceful haven in the city centre."

"Princes Street and nearby Elm Hill are narrow, cobbled roads and noise will be funnelled into homes like a megaphone."

Heidi Bloemen added: "Hundreds of people have signed a petition, but they are not here today.

"We are, and the reality is that this will destroy our neighbourhood."

The applicant, Leticia Thope, sought to reassure locals and was supported by Ben Street, an events consultant.

Mr Street said: "A space like this is vital to support the creative community – there are not enough performing arts venues in Norwich.

"The fears that this will be a nightclub could not be further from the truth."

Five councillors voted in support of the application, and five against, with the deciding vote in favour of the development cast by the committee chairman.

Paul Moseley/BBC We can see the church on a sunny day, with three of the pinnacles on top of the tower visible.Paul Moseley/BBC
St Michael at Plea was built in the 14th Century, but closed as a church in 1971

While slightly less contentious, similar concerns were raised about the plans for St Michael at Plea church, which will be turned into a piano bar hosting up to 130 people.

Applicant John Taylor said: "I am absolutely confident that it is possible to keep sound at an acceptable level.

"I want this to have a lounge piano bar vibe, with a relaxing atmosphere."

Last month approval was given for it to have an alcohol licence.

Councillors said they recognised the importance of protecting the building and did not want to see it remain empty.

Having been reassured that use of the outdoor spaces would be limited, with noise levels controlled, they voted unanimously in support of the application.

Officers said the combined noise from both the URC and St Michael at Plea had been considered, but due to different operating hours, target audiences and uses, it was agreed the accumulative impact on neighbours would be "manageable".

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