Plans to transform part of a historic hotel into a performing arts venue have been scrapped amid concerns over potential “noise nuisance”.

An artist collective hoped to convert an area of the Grand in Folkestone into a stage for music, dancing, plays and films, seven nights a week.

In documents submitted to Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s licensing committee, artist group, Beton Collective, also petitioned to serve alcohol and welcome up to 150 people to attend shows.

Since January, Beton has managed the building’s Green Room, hosting classical music performances, speaker events and creative workshops.

Beton artist and curator, Katie Szyszko, says it is important to keep culture alive at The Grand and make it accessible to locals.

“Since its opening in 1903, The Grand has become an important cultural destination,” said Ms Szyszko.

“We believe it’s crucial to maintain its high profile and to allow residents to access and enjoy this significant piece of heritage.”

“For the majority of The Grand’s history, the Green Room was used as a music room, so, historically, there is huge evidence for very vibrant, active and musical usage of that space.”

Once frequented by high society, The Grand has long since been the permanent home of people who live in the site’s some 60 converted flats.

Tatiana Dudova was one of several residents who raised concerns about potential noise and security problems should the licence have been approved.

“The application is so vague, there could be rock bands or groups of drummers playing in the Green Room, every day, maybe they would like some punk rockers at The Grand,” she said.

“I can handle a concert once or twice a month, but even the best music all the time is another matter.”

Speaking before Folkestone and Hythe’s licensing sub-committee on August 7, Ms Dudova argued the Leas site is poorly insulated against outside noise.

“As a rough guess, on any given day there are roughly 50 to 80 people living in The Grand, this is a quiet listed building with single glazing, so street noise is very noticeable,” she added.

“The application is for 150 people per event - that means potentially two-to-three-times the entire population of the building would be coming in and then leaving through the north entrance, after quite a few drinks.”

While there were no concrete provisions for counteracting potential noise problems resulting from musical performances or their attendees, Ms Szyszko says the collective is looking into the matter.

“We are currently in talks with two independent professional sound engineers to resolve those issues,” said Ms Szyszko.

“We have already found two ways by which the sound can be distributed differently, which would prevent it from going up.”

Not all of The Grand’s residents objected to the idea, however - Grenville Hancox, who also lives in one of the apartments, says that Beton has been managing the Green Room well so far.

“Beton Collective have proved themselves to be wholly responsible and considerate since January 2023 and the foundation of their business,” said Mr Hancox.

“The impact on residents’ life of the programme of events and the associated licensed provision is wholly positive and beneficial.”

But in addition to visitors’ potentially noisy comings and goings, other residents also objected to concert-goers having access to residential parts of the building.

There is one disabled bathroom that is located in a zone separate from the residential area of the hotel, which guests have been encouraged to use.

But during large events, members of the public have been allowed access to residential areas of the site in order to use the washroom facilities therein.

Resident Robert Dancy says this poses a security risk.

“I believe the venue should have appropriate access and toilet facilities not requiring access to the residential part of the building,” said Mr Dancy.

“We have had problems in The Grand before with loud music late at night and unknown people wandering around the residential areas.

In response to this, Ms Szyszko said there are CCTV cameras focussed on the building’s entrance.

“All the events at the Green Room require registration and visitors’ names are being taken so we know exactly who is attending the green room events,” she said.

“We also have stewards outside the building, guiding our guests to the right entrance, so that they don’t use the residential entrance or go wandering around.”

But despite assurances, councillors were unconvinced that there had been enough planning and consultation with The Grand residents.

“The sub-committee felt that, on balance, the prevention of public nuisance and the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objectives would not be promoted by granting this application and that sufficient measures were not proposed to promote those objectives,” wrote committee members.

“Given the use of The Grand is primarily residential accommodation and considering the age of the building and its construction, the sub-committee believe that the use of the premises for licensable events presents a significant risk of noise nuisance being caused to residents were the application to be granted.”