Jazz Cafe business partners Riz Shaikh and Steve Ball

EVEN for the most ardent of head-banging music fans, it may be a little relentless – living in a flat next door to one of the most celebrated venues there is.

But for potential residents of three flats in Parkway, Camden Town, neighbouring the Jazz Cafe, signing a lease could give a whole new meaning to Access All Areas.

Owner Steve Ball discovered that his next door neighbour had been granted planning permission to convert a set of offices above the popular Mamakdon curry and noodles restaurant into three new homes this week – and that consent had been given 18 months ago without him being informed.

Under planning law, a notice of works is usually posted outside the property.

Mr Ball said it would have been common sense for the owner to speak with him first, given what he thinks life in the new flats will be like.

“It would be like having a backstage pass seven nights a week. We have looked at the plans the sound proofing is wholly inadequate,” he said.

“The noise mitigation measures they have in place are nowhere near appropriate. It is completely inadequate and will cause them significant issues. Camden Council must reconsider this scheme as it currently stands, for everyone’s sake.”

The Jazz Cafe has now taken legal advice and the Town Hall has been notified by solicitors why the scheme it thinks the should be re-appraised.

His business partner Riz Shaikh said: “If they had contacted us, we could have done a sound test and ascertain how much music leakage there is.”

The music impresarios added they were in the process of installing a £20,000 sound proof upgrade – work that was underway before they discovered the homes plan, but even with state of the art soundproofing, the new residents would hear the gigs.

Mr Shaikh added: “Our acoustic consultant has said the measures they have implemented are wholly inadequate. They did not, for example, include bass frequencies. It makes it completely worthless.

“We get noise complaints from three buildings along. When they are disturbed they let us know so we can turn the bass down. I can only imagine what the sound would be like immediately next door.”

Architect Amin Taha, who works for the project’s designers Group Work, told the New Journal the fears were misplaced and tenants would not struggle to get peace.

He said: “Under planning conditions, you have to prove that residents will not be unduly affected by noise from outside – be it the high street, or businesses.

“And it works both ways – the acoustics have to ensure the flats do not disturb each other. The applicant did this.”

A Town Hall spokesman told the New Journal the council had looked at the impact of living next to the Jazz Cafe could have.

They added: “The approved application requires the developer to notify future occupants that they would be moving into accommodation close to an existing live music venue.

“The permission also requires that flats are soundproofed, and any other possible measures are taken to prevent noise in the properties as much as possible. We will continue to work with the developer to ensure these conditions are met.”