PLANS to turn a storage unit into a meeting place for bikers look set to be rejected amid fears over noise.

Durham County Council’s north area planning committee will be recommended on Thursday (October 30) to refuse a planning application to change the use of premises in Turn Park, Station Road, Chester-le-Street.

The unit is in a former industrial building that has been subdivided and now has various occupiers

There is a vets surgery nearby and also several homes in neighbouring Osbourne Road and Elm Street.

A report to the committee by planning officer Graham Blakey says the applicant has said in a statement that one club meeting would be held weekly from 8pm and that there would be three gatherings a year on Saturday nights.

Through the summer there would also be occasional meets on a Saturday for motorbike ride-outs.

One letter of support was submitted to the council - but there was a 62-name petition against it from residents.

Mr Blakey says in the report: “In summary, the issues raised are: Noise impact upon the nearby residents at unsociable hours would be too much for neighbouring residents and their young children.

“The use is therefore totally

unsuitable in a heavily residential area.”

He adds that there are also concerns about how many motorbikes would be parked in the courtyard and whether the club would be able to meet throughout the week.

The council’s Noise Action Team said: “

It is assuming in this instance that there could be a large number of bikes that could be arriving, and more concerning, leaving later into the night.

“This could cause considerable disturbance to residents. This is the aspect of this application that could not be mitigated in any way and is likely to cause noise complaints.”

One business owner in the area wrote to the council saying that the application would “ benefit the area and support the council's desire to have premises occupied.

“The objections should be noted but by and large, an area used for storage isn't helping the local community.”

Recommending refusal, Mr Blakey says: “The proposed change of use to a meeting place would, in this location and owing to the times proposed, be likely to have a detrimental impact upon the amenity of the nearby residential properties by virtue of noise and disturbance.”