MAKING A NOISE OVER THE RAINBOW

08-12-2008

As revealed on The Stirrer last week, The Rainbow pub is now in the front line of Digbeth's ongoing battle against suburban peace and tranquility. Spotted Dog landlord John Tighe, himself the victim of the noise police, has even taken the unusual step of urging late night drinkers to support a rival establishment.

The Rainbow is being targeted by Environmental Health officers who have warned that they are ready to scramble their Rapid Response Unit following complaints from residents about late night noise from a handful of locals.

Never mind that these numpties chose to buy their flats in a "city living" environment; nor that some of the complainants must have the hearing of a bat to to be upset by the pub's volume (see link here).

Kent Davis, The Rainbow's landlord, is in a difficult spot, though, because he's having to apply for retrospective planning permission for his open air music courtyard, The Warehouse.

John Tighe of the Spotted Dog, which was at the forefront of the Keep Digbeth Vibrant campaign is now calling on revellers to back Kent's applications, even though Kent is technically a rival.

In a open letter John writes:

Dear All,

Kent Davis of The Rainbow has asked for help in support of two retrospective planning applications for the Rainbow Warehouse.

These are for premises that are already up and running, licensed and to quote the local police “run in an exemplary manner”.

Kent’s problem is that the BCC Planning Department (presumably because he is not a major developer helping to enhance our City with unneeded Gerrybuilt flats) has taken issue with the fact that, although all other departments had been satisfied, he had not requested their permission for change of use from warehouse to whatever category it should be.

Also, the bit under the arches is officially uncovered so requires some other hoops to be jumped
through.

This was a complete oversight. These matters are normally paper-shifting and rubber-stamp jobs – fairly routine. However, considering the recent threats from Environmental Health about noise issues it might be necessary to demonstrate widespread approval from the unwashed majority.

Please get involved and get your friends involved. Too much is happening in Digbeth behind our backs!

Use the following link to Planning Applications

birmingham.gov.uk/

Type (or copy and paste) the application numbers C/05280/08/FUL and C/05279/08/FUL and make your comments. Or if you have lost the will to live or are long-term unemployed you can have hours of fun trying to find this page yourself at www.birmingham.gov.uk - Environment and planning - Planning - Planning Applications - Search for Applications and Appeals On-Line - Access Planning On-Line

Makes one think that the hoi polloi aren’t meant to find it!!!

The Stirrer would urge all readers to follow John's advice and give Kent's applications all the backing they can.

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