A development at the site of a club where the Beatles once played which was refused permission over fears about air pollution can go ahead after an appeal.
Last year, plans were submitted to Sefton Council for an apartment complex to be built at the site of the former Lathom Club off Princes Way in Seaforth.
The plans involved knocking down the 19th century social club and replacing it with a block of 12 one-bedroom flats.
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But Sefton Council's planning committee said the area’s poor air quality meant it was unsuitable for new flats, with one local councillor, Cllr Paul Cummins, describing the area as “the most polluted spot” in the borough.
The claim was backed up by the council’s environmental health team, who said levels of nitrogen dioxide at the site were only just below national standards and were expected to exceed those standards in the future.
A report to the planning committee said: “As levels are at or just below national standards it is likely air quality will have a negative impact on future occupiers."
However, the decision by councillors in June last year to reject the development on grounds of air quality has now been overturned after a decision by the planning inspectorate.
The developer took the council's decision to appeal, with a report of the outcome submitted to a meeting of Sefton Council's planning committee on Wednesday January 19.
The report states that the council and developer had "differing views on the trends that can be drawn" from the air quality monitoring data submitted by the council.
The inspector adds that while "high levels of existing pollution" are evident on the site, determining the council's position as "robust", mitigation measures including mechanical ventilation - while allowing for windows to also be opened - would be sufficient to protect residents living at the development from the risk of pollution, rejecting the council's refusal on air quality grounds.
In responding to the appeal, Sefton council had also said that the area was a non designated heritage asset because of its connection to the Beatles, who had played there, although this was not accepted as a sufficient reason to reject by the inspector.
The report states: "Although the building has some significance, it is clear from the evidence before me that the building has been substantially altered and that in terms of cultural significance, the Beatles played at many venues and this site does not have a special relevance."
Imposing a series of conditions around construction and design layout, the appeal was allowed, meaning the development can now go ahead.
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