How about a pint with your paper?
RIVAL petitions have been set up as residents argue over the merits of plans for a micropub in Southport.
An application to convert a newsagents on the corner of Southbank Road and Falkland Road into a mixed-use newsagents and a micropub has been submitted to Sefton Council.
The site is a detached two-storey building is currently used as a newsagents, with a separate flat on the first floor.
The application is due to be considered at Sefton’s planning committee next Wednesday – with planning officers recommending refusal.
A 28-signature petition of objection and a 116-signature petition of support have been submitted to the council.
Letters and emails of objection have been received from 18 properties in Southbank Road, Falkland Road and Town Lane.
Among the issues raised are claims that the development would be inappropriate in a residential area and that it would affect the quality of life of residents for 12 hours of each day.
The existing newsagents is open between 6.30am and 7pm and, under the new proposal, it would be open between the 6am and 10pm – operating as a pub between 10am and 10pm.
Sefton planning officers are urging councillors to refuse the plans, saying in their report: “The proposed development would give rise to increased noise and disturbance within close proximity to neighbouring residential properties.”