Sefton Council was seeking retrospective planning permission for an outside bar and seating area
The Lake House, Waterloo(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Concerns have been raised by local residents about a ‘noisy’ bar which was built without planning permission. The objections were raised at a council meeting in Bootle Town Hall last night (September 17) and focused on new facilities at The Lakeside in Waterloo.
The Lakeside is a multi-million-pound leisure destination which was recently upgraded with an outdoor bar and wooden suntrap huts. However, despite being a Sefton Council project, ‘The Lawn’ area of the complex was built without planning permission. Several months later, the council applied for retrospective planning permission and that application was heard at last night’s planning committee meeting.
The council was seeking permission to retain an outside bar and seating area. One objector, Mr Wolstenholme, presented his concerns during the committee hearing, he said: “We do not object to the grant of retrospective planning permission for this development created in early 2024 without planning permission.
“We do not object either to relatively quiet provision of music out of doors in this area, but we do wish to emphasise that it needs to be relatively quiet, and for that, we agree with your planning officers that it should be regulated by appropriate planning conditions, limiting the permitted decibel level.”
The Lake House, Waterloo(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
He added: “We’re concerned that this application was validated in May, and we only got to hear of it in on September 2, which is fifteen days before this meeting. However, I point that out only because on the planning portal notice there’s a complete absence of comments from residents or the general public who have remained in the dark.”
In relation to potential noise issues, Mr Wolstenholme also commented: “The agents for the applicant assert there’s no noise issue resulting from the facility, apparently because the nearest dwelling is 170 metres from the entrance to the lawn area. However, there is no expert noise impact assessment to back up their assertion.”
“[…] We’re actually concerned by the current tendency to add to noise pollution in the marine park. The balance between the legitimate interests of local residents and visitors to the area has been unfairly disturbed in recent years.”
The application was supported at the meeting by a Mr Anderson, he said: “The committee report did mention an objection, which was that the summer has been the noisiest with noise from traffic impact from Lakeside, the bus yard and the funfair.
“The bus yard and the funfair, which I take them in the festival that goes on in June, are of no connection to Lakeside or to this application.
“The speakers, as mentioned by the objector, are directed away from residential properties. I understand there has been one complaint from the Royal Hotel since the facility has been open, and this was due to a live singer bringing their own amp, which was missed by the management team at the Lakeside, but quickly rectified.
The Lake House, Waterloo(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
“This shows The Lawn is diligent and compliant and endeavouring to be a good neighbour at all times.”
Responding to the report, Cllr Tony Brough raised a concern around the management of the application process by Sefton Council, he said: “We will be dealing with a number of retrospective applications as we move forward. Here we have one which is way, way out of date. We’re considering it.
“It’s a Sefton Council application. The decision is a Sefton Council decision, and if we approve it, I’m just a bit concerned about the message that’s sending out to the residents of Sefton, some of who may decide that not following the guidance and protocols of applications is a worthy pursuit.”
The planning officer assured Cllr Brough the application would only be assessed on its merits and not the applicant or any other consideration.
The application was approved by the committee with several updated conditions including live music license up to 8pm.