º£½ÇÊÓƵ

One of Birmingham’s leading rock and pop venues claims its future is under threat after plans for a student apartment block next door were approved.

The on Bristol Street urged city planners not to give the go-ahead for the conversion of an empty six-storey office block into a halls of residence.

Owners fear that complaints over noise and nuisance from future residents could lead to the live music venue, which has hosted acts like Primal Scream, Birmingham’s own Ocean Colour Scene and Florence and the Machine, closing.

It was a fate which befell popular jazz venue the Fiddle and Bone, when residents of new apartment blocks complained about the noise.

Russell Dooely, of Academy Music Group, told the committee that they are also concerned that the onus is on the venue to install noise proof measures, even though there has been a night club on the site for years.

He said that it is ‘unacceptable’ for the club to have to close for work to be carried out, just because someone moves in next door.

He said: “We feel this is a threat to our business, there is a real risk here.”

Birmingham’s own environmental health department, which investigates noise complaints also urged refusal over the noise concerns.