Nightclub plan for former bank gets nod despite fears over noise, loutish behaviour and ‘intrusive late night activity’

Controversial plans to convert a long-vacant town centre bank into a nightclub have been given the go-ahead, despite fears over noise and ‘loutish behaviour’.

Rochdale council’s planning committee last month refused to make a decision on proposals for the old Royal Bank of Scotland, in Middleton, until the applicant had the ‘decency’ to appear before them

But they have now approved the scheme – despite a similar scheme being rejected two years ago due to a history of trouble in the area –  after an agent answered the panel’s questions at its latest meeting.

The decision was in line with the planning officer’s recommendation, which said bringing the Market Place building back into use would ‘contribute to the vitality’ of the town centre, while meeting leisure needs in a ‘suitable’ location.

It came despite Councillor Peter Winkler – speaking in a personal capacity as the owner of a nearby printing shop – reiterating his concerns over the proximity of homes and businesses, and the potential for noise disturbance and ‘loutish behaviour’.

He said: “As you are aware from the previous planning meeting, we objected in terms of the proposed usage would create intrusive late-night activity in what is a semi-residential area, which is generally quite inactive after about 11pm. 

“The proposed usage may cause anti-social behaviour and detract from a feeling of safety and living standards of the residents in the immediate proximity.”

His mother Patricia Winker, who has lived above his shop for more than 25 years, told the panel she was distressed at the prospect of a nightclub opening at the building.

“We had a bar next door which was on a far smaller scale than what is being planned for what was the bank,” she said. “It took us two years, with people coming from the council to actually put microphones in our property to prove what sort of noise we were getting.”

Mrs Winkler also said police had investigated ‘trouble that had occurred’ outside the venue on more than one occasion.

In total there were 10 objections to the proposal and six letters of support.

However, councillors took the view that such concerns came within the remit of licensing and there were no planning reasons to turn the application down.

Councillor Phil Burke, who represents West Middleton, said: “It’s very complex, this case,  and it’s a really hard decision but we have to go with the planning regulations that we follow.

“It’s hard because everything you said, I can relate to and we can answer these questions on the licensing committee. I think, with this application we have no grounds to refuse based on what’s been said and what’s in the report.

“I personally wouldn’t want to accept it but we’ve got no grounds, if it goes to appeal the officers will overturn the decision we make tonight.”

A majority of the committee agreed the proposals could be passed on the condition a venue management plan is submitted to the council and agreed prior to opening.

However, Councillor Irene Davidson and Councillor Angela Smith both abstained from the vote.

Rochdale council’s planning committee met at Number One Riverside on 22 December.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service