PLANS to convert an historic old harbour office into flats have been refused over noise concerns.

The proposals were refused by BCP Council officers as developers sought to convert the first floor and mezzanine of the Old Harbour Office on Poole Quay.

Officers recommended refusal due to a lack of a noise impact assessment report, and a lack of information on storage and collection arrangements for bins.

Developers Lambert Pressland lodged the prior approval application in October, for the building that is Grade II listed.

Proposals said that the first floor had been recently refurbished, with the addition of a mezzanine level, for use as offices.

Bournemouth Echo:

Currently, the ground floor is as commercial space, but this is vacant.

In the council officer’s report detailing the reasons behind the refusal, the officer said that the developer had ‘failed to demonstrate that the proposed building is suitable for residential use’.

It said: “It has not been demonstrated that the future occupants of the dwelling would not suffer from noise nuisance and disturbance from the nearby public house and other potential noisy uses within the area.”

The plans received a response from BCP Environmental Health recommending refusal for this reason, which said a full noise impact assessment would be needed.

This is due to the pub next door, and the ‘adverse impact of noise’ affecting the proposed flats.

The environmental health officer said: “This assessment would need to demonstrate how noise from the operation of the existing neighbouring pub, including noise from customers, plant and entertainment, would be attenuated to such an extent that it would not adversely impact the proposed residential accommodation.”

With reference to the lack of arrangements for storage and collection of domestic bins, the planning officer’s report said the applicant had failed to demonstrate that there would not be harm to the setting or appearance of the listed building.

It also said the developer failed to show that no harm would be cause to the appearance and character of the Conservation Area/public realm, harm to the amenity of the occupants of the new dwelling and harm to the amenity of members of the public.

It concluded: “Prior approval is required and not granted due to the proposal failing to provide sufficient information relating to noise associated with the location of the proposed development and waste collection arrangements on site.

“As such, the application should be refused.”