Jewellery Quarter restaurant proposals have received approval despite concerns about noise levels.

A premises in the historic Birmingham area was seeking consent for conversion from commercial retail space to a restaurant and bar facility.

The Warstone Lane location is now set to house the ‘House of Chill Restaurant and Lounge’ following approval at a council session.

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A council document revealed a premises licence was granted earlier this year for various activities, including retail alcohol sales, late-night catering and live musical performances.

The submitted layout displayed a bar section, dining area, kitchen, VIP space, performance platform and additional facilities.

However, the proposals generated numerous objections, including concerns that the intended use might be “unsuitable for and incompatible with a primarily residential area”.

During a planning session, Coun Gareth Moore (Erdington, Conservative) backed the proposals and commented: “City centre living is about having that vibrant, diverse activity taking place.

“We can’t have a ghost town of empty units – restaurants and bars are a good way to fill these spaces.

“From that perspective, I’m very supportive of the application.”

Coun Martin Brooks (Harborne and Quinton Independents) remarked: “As a city, we want to be supportive of the hospitality industry which is somewhat suffering at the moment.

“To some extent if people are living in the city centre, they need to understand there will be that kind-of mixed use of hospitality, residential and all the rest of it.”

The council report acknowledged the proposed restaurant would be situated in an ‘urbanised area’ with homes nearby – including flats directly above it.

However, it stated several measures had been put forward in an attempt to reduce the potential noise impact.

A recommended noise management plan would include:

  • Ensuring the front doors to the bar area always remain closed, except during the entry and exit of customers.

  • Customers being politely reminded upon exit to keep noise to a minimum out of consideration for nearby residential properties.

  • If customers are observed lingering outside the premises for an extended period, they should be courteously asked to move along.

“By following the above plan, it is advised that noise levels would remain below the typical background noise levels,” the report stated.

It added: “The proposed change of use would be acceptable in principle and would not have an adverse impact upon the significance of the Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area or the character of the Creative District.

“Subject to conditions, the proposed development would not have any adverse noise, odour or highways safety impacts.”