Neighbour rallies behind micro bar owners who vow 'not to give up' after planning permission refused

A South Shields resident who lives nearby the site of a proposed micro bar has spoken out in support of the business after opening plans were refused over ‘noise pollution’ concerns.

Dr Lynne Graham, who lives near proposed business JD Micro bar, at 66A Stanhope Road, has rallied behind it after news its plans were refused by South Tyneside Council on October 9.

It came after a council decision report argued the proposed micro bar and associated customer activity, including outside the premises, would “give rise to noise pollution and other disturbance”.

Lynne, 60, said: “As a single, middle-aged woman living alone, I probably wouldn’t go into the other local mainstream pubs on my own, but I’d happily pop across the road to a small community pub for a drink and a chat.

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“That kind of everyday social contact matters, particularly at a time when loneliness and social isolation are real concerns.”

Lynne, who works as a lecturer, said she lives near a larger events venue and is not disturbed by noise.

She said: “Some of us don’t want protecting from a community venue. Some of us actually want more opportunities to meet our neighbours and build a sense of community. I see the micro bar as something that could improve my experience of living here.”

A relevant licence approved by South Tyneside Council was already in place and 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 the maximum capacity would be 30 people and noise from music and live entertainment would be limited through soundproofing, as well as signs asking customers to leave quietly and respect neighbours.

It was noted there would be “no permitted drinking outside, only a smoking area at the rear of the micro bar that is enclosed”.

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”.

The co-owners told the Shields Gazette the objector has revoked their letter, originally submitted because of concerns over rubbish collections.

The business says these collections will not be made along Stanhope Road, but rather by accessing a back lane to minimise disturbance, they had conducted a noise survey with positive results, and spent £4,000 on sound-proofing.

They said their next step is to challenge the decision by lodging an appeal with the national Planning Inspectorate and they say the next-door neighbour is to give a statement in support too.

One co-owner said they had spent her mum’s inheritance on transforming the space and would be “gutted” not to open and “we’re not going to give up fighting”.

They have begun a petition, which has already gathered over 100 signatures.

For more information, visit the council’s planning portal and search for reference 260451.

You can find out about the community matters that affect you on the Public Notice Portal.