Rock Music at Maine Road, Manchester - A Noise Tolerant Zone?

The Maine Road stadiumhome of Manchester City EC. is situated in a predominantly residential area comprising terraced houses of traditional construction.The housing dmsity is high.The only other buildings near the stadium are the Manchester city RC.Social Club. 2 schools.a light industrial unit and a number of small shops.The streets closest to the stadium are not heavily trafficked.consequently hndisl nllld noise levels are relatively low especially during the evening period. THE Mm APPLICATION.2.1.In I956 the football club approached the City Council with a proposal that a one dny pop music event starring Queen and Status Quo should be held at the site.The officers of the Planning Department were of the opinion that such an event as: a significant change of use and therefore planning consent was required.It Has recognised tlmt the potential impact m the area in terms of noise.traffic smeratim, parking.litter etc. was likely to be greater that that associated with football antchos therefore the Planning Department consulted residents over a wider area than normal: A total of 2000 households use consulted directly.In addition to this the proposals resulted in considerable publicity in the local press.Objections to the planning application were received from 26 persons at 22 addresses.The event was supported by other residents.local councillors and leaders of some local community groups. Z.2.= The Environmental Health Department made an assessth of the effects of the proposed event on the Ilmenity of the residents.No open-air concerts of this magnitude had been staged in Nandteeter before tha efore contact was made with other local authorities which had experience of this type of event.notably Ileuoastle.Leeds and the Greater lmdon Council (G.l.C.).Data was availnhle from a Queen I Status Quo cmce t held in [union (ref.l)together uith some duta on possible attenuation figures for football stadium structures.It was predicted that the likely noise level.at the nearest houses to the Maine Road stadium would be around 70 dBm) Ln ([5 minute).Background levels were estimated to be 45-50 dBtA) Leq (15 minute).Measured date was not available in the short tine-ncnle before the planning committee dnndliue dute.