A popular Lark Lane bar has narrowly won the right to change its outdoor space after a chaotic and at times farcical council meeting.
In an often-disorderly meeting of Liverpool Council ’s planning committee, Love and Rockets finally secured planning permission for a metal pergola to be installed at the side of its building after similar plans were rejected in the summer. The decision came despite the protestations of councillors and residents.
The proposals were granted following a crucial judgement by Cllr Tony Concepcion, planning committee chair, after members could not be split in two separate votes. In July, the committee could not come to an agreement on the plans by applicant Robert Gutmann, who asked for permission to replace the existing timber frame at the side of his venue with a metal one, to act as an external eating and drinking areas operating until 10pm each day.
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The application was first considered in 2020 when the existing wooden structure was in place and found to be in breach of planning regulations in August of that year. Murray Graham, the agent acting on behalf of Mr Gutmann, said he had worked with the council to address concerns to provide an "enhancement of the property" and said it would not cause "unacceptable harm to residents or the area".
This claim was refuted by resident Liz McGarvey who told members she was "actually shocked" the plans were being heard again after rejection in the summer. She said the noise has been "intolerable" and she has had to move bedrooms and her office to cope.
Ms McGarvey, who at one point had to be muted by officers as she dialled in on a Teams call for interrupting, said the plans are "quite literally life changing" and it could "drive more of us from our homes" as it has become "increasingly futile" to try and block out the noise.
Nina Canter, another resident, said “our lives are being devastated by this bar” and said the plans provide "clear and foreseeable nuisances" that have caused "stress, anxiety and physical health problems" to those living nearby.
Council officer Stuart Clark said the plans were “much reduced from what was originally proposed and what currently exists” and was "very complicated in terms of how it has evolved." Despite this, Mr Clark said the council ws satisfied that there are mitigation measures in place to deal with noise and advised the application went ahead, as the local authority may face costs had it been rejected a second time.
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 did not object to the adaptation.
Further concerns were raised by councillors who had visited the site last month. Cllr Billy Lake said he felt the pergola represented an "amphitheatre for noise" and a "cacophony of noise". He said he sympathised with those objecting as it must be "hellish" for them.
He added: "I think the whole thing is absolutely awful." Cllr Pat Moloney raised fears around traffic and parking and moved that the application be rejected.
After the vote was split at four in favour and four against, Cllr Concepcion’s casting vote defeated the amendment. On a vote to approve the recommendation, once again the committee could not be split and Cllr Concepcion as chair was forced to break the tie, allowing it to go ahead.
After the meeting, Mr Gutmann told the ECHO he was really pleased to get the application over the line. He said: "We have worked hard with the Planning officers for well over a year to reach a solution that both continues to enable us to service our guests, who love our outdoor beer garden areas, while also minimising the potential for any disturbance to nearby homeowners.
"Residents are often very anxious about the potential for hospitality businesses to affect their lives adversely, but we strongly feel that Love and Rockets and our other Lark Lane venues have been assets to the area and we are gratified when so many people tell us how pleased they are, we have helped to raise standards and enhance the entire Lark Lane environment for themselves and visitors alike. "
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