External bar and seating at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, Waterloo

The site and its history

The site forms part of an events and hotel complex beside the Marine Lake, with earlier permissions for a kiosk and centre extensions.

“The application site comprises an area of land forming part of the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre complex, currently operating as an events space and hotel and located next to the Marine Lake at Waterloo. The area of land is located immediately to the north-west of the Lake House building.”

“DC/2020/00109 Erection of single storey extensions to the front, side and rear, a first floor extension to the rear, a detached changing places unit to the rear car park including alterations and remodelling of the Centre. Approved 22 July 2020”

Officer report

The officers’ assessment

Officers considered the development acceptable in principle, visually appropriate, safe from flooding, and unlikely to cause significant harm to residents, highways or ecology.

“The development is considered acceptable in principle subject to other Local Plan policies and any other material considerations.”

“The development, subject to conditions, does not raise any significant concerns in respect of harm to local residents’ living conditions and complies with Local Plan policy EQ2 ‘Design’ in this respect.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Council consultees raised no objections, while the environmental advisory service supported the proposal subject to a biodiversity condition.

“Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service No objection subject to a condition…”

Officer report

Concerns from neighbours

One objection raised concerns about noise, traffic, amplified music and whether properties overlooking the site should receive fuller consultation.

“In accordance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement, a site notice was placed close to the application site on 10 June 2025. One objection has been received raising the following concerns: - This summer has been the noisiest with noise/traffic impact from Lakeside, the bus yard and the fun fair - Outdoor DJ session volume caused disturbance - Full consultation with properties overlooking the site should be applied…”

“Officer comment on the notification procedure: The council’s Statement of Community Involvement sets out the notification requirements for different types of applications. The proposal falls into category ‘5. Other minor development’ for which the requirement is a site notice. For clarity, if the proposal was a change of use to a bar any property within 30m would be notified, in this case the bar is over 150m to the nearest neighbour.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard a representation on behalf of objectors and a response from the applicant’s agent.

What members discussed

Members discussed the facility’s operating hours, outdoor music and the application of Biodiversity Net Gain.

“Arising from the discussion members considered the hours of operation and playing of music at the facility in detail and considered the issue of Biodiversity Net Gain in respect of the development.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to the report’s conditions, amended the biodiversity condition and added outdoor music hours of 7am to 8pm.

“That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report, and subject to an amendment to condition (2) to refer more specifically to Biodiversity Net Gain and an additional condition (5) limiting the times at which music can be played in the outside area to between 7:00 am and 8:00pm in accordance with the operating hours of the external bar as set out in condition (4).”

Minutes