NEIGHBOURS say a new roof terrace at one of Oxford’s only independent music venues could be like having a ‘party outside their bedroom window’ every night.

One man objected to the makeover of The Bullingdon, on Cowley Road, saying crowds of people ‘drinking, talking, laughing, clinking bottles and sometimes shouting’ would ruin his ‘quality of life’.

From March last year, the bar only opened its doors for 10 days after the country was put in and out of lockdown restrictions.

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So, managers say the new roof garden could future-proof the venue now that the Government is prioritising opening places with outside spaces.

The plans are to completely overhaul the venue, but leaving the ground floor with a bar and stage.

The first floor, however – currently used as offices and a kitchen – would be transformed into another bar area with seats inside, outside and some toilets.

An extension would give space for a new kitchen and changing area for staff and musicians with a private staircase so bands can get to the stage ‘without walking through customers’.

A new second floor would then be used as offices for bar managers, staff and the owner.

Writing in its planning application to Oxford City Council, which will ultimately make the decision on whether the plans can go ahead, the managers explained that The Bullingdon is ‘at the heart of the diverse Cowley community’.

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They said: “No other venue in the county offers programmes, hosts or encourages the type of events that The Bullingdon does. It is therefore essential that the venue can continue to thrive, particularly when emerging from the latest Covid-19 lockdown, which the proposed expansion will support.”

Further down in the plans, the venue managers said the venue had only opened for a handful of days in 2020, adding: “By being able to expand, in particular having the new outside space/terrace, the business will be able to trade more frequently through any ongoing restrictions and will continue to contribute to the cultural richness of the area.”

The managers also said the idea of the terrace was supported by Thames Valley Police on the basis that it could give punters a place to stand and smoke other than on the Cowley Road.

But neighbours on Hurst Street and Crown Street say they have a problem with the plans, specifically the noise that could come from a brand new outside area.

One resident on Hurst Street said: “I am a couple of streets back from Cowley Road but party noises still travel.”

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Their neighbour also objected, saying that the summer months would be the worst.

One man on Crown Street, also submitted his thoughts, saying: “I estimate that the corner of the terrace is less than 20 meters from our bedroom.

“There would in effect be a party outside our bedroom window every night.

“If a bottle were to fall from the corner of the terrace it would land in my neighbour’s garden. This would be a profound adverse effect on our physical and mental health, well-being and quality of life.”