Plans for the expansion at the side of a venue on a popular South Liverpool street are to be considered for a second time.
In July, members of Liverpool Council ’s planning committee were left divided by proposals put forward by Love and Rockets on Lark Lane to put up a metal pergola at the side of the building, replacing an existing timber frame, to act as an external eating and drinking area, operating until 10pm daily. An intense debate broke out over the impact of such a development on the busy street that is housed among residential properties.
As a result, changes to the site were left in limbo after councillors could not come to an agreement as to whether to allow the new structure to go ahead. Now, they are to assess the impact of the plans with a site visit to Lark Lane next Friday evening.
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The application was first mooted back in 2020 when the existing wooden structure was in place, which was found to be in breach of planning regulations in August of that year. Resident Sam Livingstone told the committee how currently people living around Love and Rockets “are unable to sleep or relax in our own homes” as a result of noise from the venue and allowing the application to go ahead would have a “direct impact” on the quality of life, making it “unworkable”.
Ms Livingstone said those living around Love and Rockets, owned by city businessman Robert Gutmann, had experienced “mental and physical health issues” owing to noise from the bar and claimed “lives are being devastated”. Planning agent Murray Graham told the committee how the applicant had sought to work through problems with the proposals during the planning process and address them with council officers and relevant parties.
This summer’s meeting heard how the existing timber pergola structure on site at Love and Rockets did not receive planning permission and their removal would improve the appearance and address highways issues. A report submitted to councillors said “the simple design of the structure, metal finish and glazed roof result in a structure that appears light weight and subservient to the existing building with the metal finish being of higher quality and more in keeping with the character of the building and surrounding area”.
Merseyside Police and environmental health officials have not objected to proposals for the adaptation. In July, members voted seven to two against the recommendation to approve the plans with conditions and will visit the site next Friday at 7pm.
It has once again been recommended for approval by local authority officers.
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