Residents concerned about church piano bar plans

St Michael at Plea was built in the 14th century, but closed as a church in 1971

Converting an historic church into a piano bar could lead to antisocial behaviour, residents have warned.

People living near the vacant St Michael at Plea church in Norwich said they opposed the plan because it could also lead to an increase in noise, with one arguing it would have an "overwhelmingly detrimental impact".

John Taylor – who has applied for an alcohol licence for the site – said customers would be asked to the leave area the quietly while the music volume would be "low enough that normal conversation can take place".

In his application to Norwich City Council, he also said the bar would have door staff at weekends and CCTV cameras in place.

In a separate application for planning permission, Mr Taylor – and the site's primary leaseholders, Norwich Historic Churches Trust – said the bar would "give performance opportunities to many students and professional musicians"

They described it as "a high-quality environment for an audience to appreciate their talents".

The former church was most recently home to a Christian book shop and tea room

But nearby residents have written objections to both proposals.

One said the potential noise would "would profoundly disrupt our home life", whilst another said she was already "scared" to walk in the area because of street drinkers.

And one more person living close to the church warned "littering, urination and vomit are all inevitable side effects" of a bar being opened.

This is not the first time neighbours of the former church have raised concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area.

Last year, they objected to plans - which were later rejected by the council - for a nearby venue to expand into its grounds.

Norfolk Police said they had no objection to a licence being granted for the piano bar, as long as conditions were met including door staff on Friday and Saturday nights – and a log being kept of any anti-social behaviour.

The city council's licensing sub-committee is due to decide on the alcohol licence on Monday, whilst a decision on the planning application will be made at a later date.