Lancaster live music venue launches bid to stop nearby holiday flats development

A live music venue in Lancaster is fighting against plans for nearby holiday apartments - after hundreds backed their campaign against another flats development last year.

A planning application has gone in to Lancaster City Council for a change of use at 60 Market Street, 2/2A China Street and Castle Chambers in Lancaster city centre.

This would be to change from ground/first/second floor retail and office space to five holiday let apartments.

A spokesperson for The Pub on China Street said: "We’re concerned this could threaten our ability to continue hosting live music."

They have called for their supporters to object to the proposals.

In 2023, the council agreed planning permission for a flats conversion at 4 China Street next door, despite a campaign by The Pub and almost 1800 objections from the public

Local musicians and lovers of live music were worried that if people moved in opposite the venue (pictured below), they might complain about the noise, leading to possible restrictions.

But councillors voted unanimously to pass the plans in October last year, approving the conversion of the first and second floors of 4 China Street into two one-bedroom flats. 

Read more: Controversial flats plan opposite Lancaster music venue gets green light - Beyond Radio

A noise assessment submitted with the new plans for 60 Market Street, 2/2A China Street and Castle Chambers, says: "Previously the local authority was concerned about the effect of road traffic, ‘people noise’ and ‘music noise’ affecting future residents at Market Street.

"Predictions based on the available information for the proposed building indicate that appropriate internal noise levels can be achieved by fitting the windows of habitable rooms with appropriate glazing and roof/ceiling construction where appropriate. So that windows can remain largely closed, a powered ventilation system should be provided.

"Rapid or purge ventilation will be provided via openable windows at the occupants’ discretion. As such, the internal daytime and night-time noise criteria may potentially be exceeded during rapid/purge ventilation condition.

"The above recommendations are essentially the same package of measures as proposed for the property next door with the exception of the glazing specification for the rear façade which is slightly lower given the lower noise levels encountered."

A design and access statement submitted with the plans says: "The buildings are on a prominent position on the corner within a central city location.

"The building is dated as 1897.

"The ground floor of the building is currently an estate agent with access through to a staff room and meeting area along China Street.

"The upper floors are office space that has been empty for a number of years.

"The door to the proposed apartments is to China Street.

"The ground floor apartment unit is currently a unoccupied retail - it was last used as a hairdressers.

"There were various applications to alter the building to ensure its ongoing use as an estate agent with office space in the 1990s.

"The adjacent property (4 China Street) was recently approved to convert the flat to the first and second floor into two flats. 

"Preapplication advice (from the council) was received for the conversion of the upper floors to Castle Chambers.

"This advice did not include the conversion of the ground floor unit to China Street but was positive regarding the conversion (saying) 'the provision of visitor accommodation in this location would be broadly consistent with the aims of the (council's) Local Plan to enhance the city centre’s role as a retail, leisure and cultural centre and to improve the district’s visitor offer'.

"The advice was included in the submitted design which keeps the units to one and two beds with a defined entrance to the street. 

"The application seeks to create five holiday apartments (three one- bed and two two-bed) to create a convenient and attractive place to stay for visitors to the city. These would be easily reached from the train station and allow ready access to the city’s attractions, venues and shops.

"The applicant (Joe Crookall) is an established provider of similar accommodation close by and these apartments would be serviced by the same team.

"The proposals are to amend the internal layout to form two apartments to the first and second floor to Castle Chambers and to convert the ground floor unit to a single bedroom apartment.

"This will use the existing stair and entrance but amend the internal layout to form the new apartments.

"None of the buildings are listed but sit adjacent to 66 Market Street which is a Grade II listed building. The buildings are in the Lancaster Conservation Area.

"China Street and the corner to Market Street are considered strong gateways to the city and the building is considered ‘positive’ as part of the conservation area. This would be due to its attractive built form, well defined corner to China Street and active frontage to the street.

"The impact to the conservation area would be minimal and certainly less than significant. By replacing the windows with high quality units (that can be controlled by planning condition) improvements to the interior can be gained whilst maintaining the long-term external appearance of the building. "The use as high quality holiday lets will also ensure the long-term sustainable usage of the building and its maintenance.

"A noise assessment has been carried out by Martec and the recommendations will be taken account of during the conversion works. This includes acoustic linings internally, improvements to glazing in the proposed new windows and the air management to ensure windows are not required to be opened.

"The reuse of the building as holiday apartments will provide much needed visitor accommodation in a central location within a characterful building. This is an appropriate reuse of the building whose occupants will support the local economy and adjacent cultural and entertainment venues."

Lancaster City Council will make a decision on whether to grant planning permission, in due course.

The full application can be found in the planning section at the Lancaster City Council website, reference number 24/01106/FUL.