Conversion of existing retail shop into an extension of adjacent Bridge Inn public house, including replacement front tiles

Refusal Reasons

• ✗The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the extension of the public house into the premises would not give rise to noise, vibration and environmental conflict with the residential flats above. In particular: (i) No account is taken of the low background noise levels in the residential flat, which means that noise from rowdy behaviour or amplified music below is likely to be clearly audible in the flat above; (ii) No detail is provided on the potential from flanking transmission of noise via open windows, doors or through or by mechanical ventilation system within proposed extension to The Bridge Public House; and (iii) No detail is provided on the potential noise transmission from The Bridge Public House during licensed loud amplified public entertainment events as the existing ~4ft brick wall is proposed to be knocked through providing a doorway and thereby direct noise transmission pathway. Noise levels at such an event could easily exceed 100 dB(A). The proposal is likely to result in a detrimental reduction in amenity of local residents who currently enjoy quiet enjoyment of their properties and are likely to subsequently be subject to occasional annoyance due to rowdy behaviour and loud amplified music, possibly also mechanical ventilation noise. Often the annoyance is not just when the noise nuisance is occurring but it is in the unpredictability of the noise nuisance, not knowing when it will occur again and that it is likely to occur at unsociable hours. The proposal fails to accord with criterion (g) of General Policy 2 and Environment Policy 22 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007 and is unacceptable.