New Leeds city centre flats blocked over fears of noise from nearby pubs and restaurants
The application faced opposition from Leeds Civic Trust
The conversion of a Leeds city centre building into flats has been blocked after the council said it would be too noisy for people living there.
Leeds City Council refused a planning application to turn the upper floors of 15 Merrion Street into three apartments.
Permission was sought for a change of use of three floors above a restaurant near the city’s Grand Theatre and The Wrens pub.
The application faced opposition from Leeds Civic Trust, which raised concerns over the impact on historic nearby buildings.
Environmental health officers also raised an objection, saying not enough information was given by the applicant ATC Properties on how residents would be protected from noise.
Their report said: “The proposal would introduce residential accommodation into a high-noise environment without demonstrating acceptable living conditions for future occupiers.”
The council’s highways team advised a re-think of the proposed development on the corner with New Briggate.
They said: “Revised plans are requested, showing secure cycle storage and level access to the bin store to prevent bins being left on the highway.”
The report said the site was part of the Grand Quarter Conservation Area and near listed buildings including the theatre and St John’s Church.
People living in the flats would be on a corner junction in a busy part of the city centre, close to night-time drinking venues, restaurants and takeaways.
The report said: “The property is also close to recently built purpose-built student accommodation.”
Planning permission was formally refused in a decision issued on October 20.
The council report said: “In the absence of an adequate noise assessment, the proposal does not demonstrate that future occupiers would be protected from the noisy environment directly outside the site.
“It has not been robustly demonstrated that future occupiers would not suffer from undue noise from nearby commercial premises.
“Therefore, the application fails to demonstrate that acceptable living conditions can be achieved in respect of noise.”