Noise issue flagged in flats plan

An application by CZCW Ltd will be heard by councillors on Birmingham City Council’s planning committee at an online meeting on July 16.

The plans would see one, two and three-bed private rented flats put in place in a four to eight-storey development as well as two ground floor commercial units in Newtown.

Existing buildings – including the Whites Ironmongery Stores – would be demolished to make way for the development, designed by Claridge Architects.

The building would form a u-shape with 204 cycle spaces and 29 car parking spaces at the site at land fronting Hanley Street, Lower Loveday Street and Summer Lane.

A report from officers to the committee states the development was generally not opposed by consultation respondents, with the exception of regulatory services – which commented on potential noise issues.

The objection states: “[…] We would recommend refusal of this application on the grounds that the development would lead to harm to health and quality of life for future residents due to noise from nearby industrial uses.

“It would introduce a noise sensitive use in an existing industrial and commercial area in circumstances where the noise climate would represent a statutory nuisance which may have an adverse impact on the operation of existing businesses and potential loss of employment activities.”

The report authors state noise mitigation measures included in the designs are “materially different from those previously proposed on the site” and recommend approval despite the objection.

The authors’ conclusion states: “The proposals would allow the regeneration of this run down site would remove a significant area of underdeveloped land from this part of the Gun Quarter.

“The building design and housing mix are acceptable and the development would not have any adverse impact on the setting of locally listed buildings in the vicinity.

“Although there is an objection to the development from regulatory services relating to noise issues from the nearby core employment area suitable noise mitigation measures can be provided and the layout of the apartments seeks to ensure that the more sensitive bedroom spaces are located away from the Hanley Street frontage.”

The report suggests agreeing a requirement for 20 affordable private rent units – ten per cent of the total.

The application will be considered by councillors at the meeting from 11am on July 16, which can be viewed on the council’s website: civico.net/birmingham