Unity House and the Armouries

A mixed-use residential scheme in the heart of Birmingham’s Entertainment Quarter that generated considerable low frequency music noise. This scheme aimed to redevelop the run down Unity and Armouries buildings. It attracted considerable attention and objections from both the Local Authority and the Nightclub.

At planning appeal it was found suitable with conditions to control the noise entering the apartments and has become a test case that alters the use of “inaudibility” as a measure of acceptability.

This is a significant case for developers of city living and establishes the principle that city living requires a level of acceptance that noise in vibrant areas should be to some degree acceptable.