A new Cardiff city centre bar has had its plans for a rooftop terrace approved, despite concerns about noise pollution.
Heidi's Bier Bar, which is soon set to open its first Welsh venue at the site of former nightclub SODA on Mill Lane will have a new bar on its roof after planning permission was granted by Cardiff Council.
The terrace, which will remain open until midnight, will have table seating as well as a bar area beneath a retractable canopy, with the application, made by Cardiff -based C2J Architects, stating a desire to create "a safe and secure outdoor entertainment area".
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The new Scandinavian beer hall will be the latest city centre venue with a rooftop terrace, with popular spots such as The Botanist, Lab 22, ZeroDegrees and Jacob's Market all boasting the same.
While Heidi's currently has a number of branches across Finland, Norway and Denmark, their new venture on Mill Lane will be their first in the UK.
The beer hall brand's website promises visitors an "authentic après-ski atmosphere" with beer towers, music, table dancing 'Oktoberfest-style' and even nail driving contests, while staff at the bars wear traditional Tyrolean dresses. You can read more about the new bar here.
The application for the terrace was opposed by Cathays councillors Norma Mackie, Sarah Merry and Chris Weaver, who said the terrace would only make existing noise pollution around the Mill Lane area worse for local residents.
The objection, submitted by Cllr Mackie, read: "While we understand the business wanting to create more space in their venue, to be able to accommodate more customers while COVID regulations exist, we have to voice our concerns for the extra noise nuisance this is likely to cause residents of nearby flats, apartments and hotels, especially in the Hayes apartments as, if granted, the roof terrace would remain post pandemic.
"Residents have already had to adjust to extra noise nuisance from the increased pavement use of venues in Mill Lane and this will only be made worse by allowing this application for a roof terrace and the ones that could follow if this application was granted.
"We recognise that the use of a retractable canopy might limit some of the noise levels but we would imagine the canopy will only be used in inclement weather and for the bulk of the time the premises is open, the canopy will be retracted."
It continued: "The application talks of entertainment being available and the drawings show someone holding a guitar. Considerable noise nuisance can be created from customers who have consumed alcohol, especially into the early hours of the morning, and if live music is also added to this noise pollution is inevitable.
When you consider this application we feel you will need to consider the Agent of Change Principles, in that, this application will have a noise impact on the residential developments and hotel businesses already in the area. We would ask that this application is heard by the Committee with a recommendation that it be refused."
However, a delegated report by the council concluded that the proposal "would not result in unacceptable noise consequences", as the roof area would only remain open until midnight, as is the case with other city centre rooftop terraces.
Heidi's Bier Bar is one of a number of new bars opening in Cardiff city centre this year.
Instagrammable cocktail bar Tonight Josephine is set to open its first Welsh venue at the former Charleston's steakhouse site on Caroline Street, while 'social darts' venue Flight Club and Gareth Bale's new golf-themed bar Par 59 will open their doors on St Mary Street.
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