New Ely salon given green light despite fears from neighbours about noise

THE addition of a hair salon to a new hotel in Ely has been approved by council planners despite worries about noise pollution among neighbours.

Poets House, in St Mary’s Street, opened last Monday, with 21 bedrooms and a range of guest facilities including, following a decision announced this week, a new hair salon.

Plans to change the use of an outbuilding into a salon were submitted to East Cambridgeshire District Council in December but neighbours immediately adjoining the building expressed their worries about possible levels of noise.

Kirsten Bennett, of Downham Road, told council planners: “A window opens from the outbuilding onto a narrow passageway directly adjacent to my kitchen window and back door entrance. It is considered paramount that it is fixed glazed as otherwise an opening window would cause noise pollution for both mine and my neighbours property.”

Frank Redhead, also of Downham Road, told planners: “The application form says that the hours are ‘not known’. Here, instead of a quiet guest suite, there would be continuous occupation throughout the day and into the evening, with increased activity between salon and main hotel.”

Despite their concerns however, planning officer Lorraine Brown granted permission for the salon, saying that it would not have an adverse impact on the character of the area or noise levels.

In her report she said: “It is felt that the use of the building as a hair salon would compliment the other use on the site and would not have an adverse impact on the character or appearance of the building or it setting.”

Ms Brown added however, that a condition would be placed on a window nearest to neighbouring properties stating that it must be kept locked at all times to reduce noise.