Plans for a new temporary event space and bar at St James Quarter are set to be refused by the City of Edinburgh Council's planning committee over fears surrounding noise complaints.
The proposed site, at St James Square, would hold a huge tent for events, including a Spiegeltent bar, to hold functions linked to St James Quarter, although the plans are set to be knocked back when the committee meets on Wednesday, September 21.
The site is located within the UNESCO Old and New Towns of Edinburgh Heritage Site and the New Town Conservation Area. The council say that the space is proposed to operate between 10am and 11pm during August each year, the same time that the Festival Fringe typically occurs.
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It was also due to hold 200 people, with the capacity reduced for some shows. They added that under the '28-day' rule, the tent has already been erected and has been in use since August 2022, although it is not set to be in use any more once the plans are rejected.
The committee agenda reads: "The Noise Impact Assessment advises that the Spiegeltent would be used primarily for live radio broadcasts with the BBC during year 2022, comedy shows and spoken word events with only low levels of intermittent amplified music being played, this includes early morning broadcasts.
"The proposed operating hours will ensure the space will cease operation at 11pm. Environmental Protection were consulted on the proposal and has raised concerns about the noise from outdoor activities negatively affecting the amenity of nearby residents.
"Environmental Protection comment that the "Just the Tonic" events proposed to operate late in the evening, will not meet the expected noise standard, along with the bar area which would operate at the same time as the shows. As such, Environmental Protection has recommended refusal of the application. There are no mitigative measures identified to sufficiently reduce the level of noise."
The agenda also points towards the issue of noise disturbance from the venue, saying that it is likely that complaints will continue to be received if permission is granted for the application. It says "no mitigative measures are proposed to mitigate this impact."
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