New Irish bar The Rattlin' Bog confirmed for Durham city

The venue, set to be called The Rattlin' Bog, will open on Silver Street after planners at Durham County Council granted planning permission.

Parish councillors objected to the proposal, saying there was insufficient information to assess how the business would operate and warned another drinking venue would further reduce the street's retail offering.

Planning documents said the proposal involves only limited alterations to the existing building, with internal works including the installation of a new bar and customer toilets.

External changes are limited to "minor frontage enhancements", including new signage and decorative improvements.

The applicant said neighbouring buildings, including the adjacent Grade II-listed property at 12 Silver Street, would not be affected.

A planning statement submitted with the application said the frontage improvements would "be in keeping with the established commercial character of Silver Street" and would preserve the character and appearance of Durham's Conservation Area.

It added: "The proposal will contribute positively to the vitality and viability of the city centre by introducing a well-managed, active commercial use within the existing unit."

However, the City of Durham Parish Council requested further details on proposed opening hours, a noise impact assessment, information on whether live or recorded music would be played, a management plan and a detailed internal layout.

In its objection, the parish council said: "Due to the absence of this information, it is not possible to assess how the premises will function."

It also warned the development would "contribute to the continued erosion of the retail function of Silver Street".

The authority added: "The Parish Council has consistently raised concerns regarding the overconcentration of licensed premises within the city centre, and particularly along Silver Street.

"The introduction of a further drinking establishment would exacerbate this imbalance and would not contribute positively to the diversity of uses envisaged by the policy."

Granting planning permission, Durham County Council said the proposal was acceptable in principle.

In its decision notice, the authority said: "The change of use of the ground floor retail unit to a drinking establishment/bar is considered acceptable in principle, and subject to planning conditions to ensure compliance with noise mitigation measures would not be harmful to residential amenity, visual amenity or highway safety."