Front hotel canopy at 583 - 587 Lord Street, Southport

“Listed Building Consent for the erection of a canopy over the seating area to the front of The Bold Hotel (retrospective).”

“Summary The application is retrospective, following the installation of a canopy to the front elevation of the Bold Hotel, facing on to Lord Street in Southport. The building is a Grade II Listed Building and is located within the Lord Street Conservation Area. The main consideration is the impact on the Listed Building and the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.”

“The Bold Hotel is a Grade II Listed Building, located prominently on the corner of Seabank Road and Lord Street. The building sits towards the northern section of the Lord Street Conservation Area, in Southport Town Centre. The canopy gives shelter for patrons using the seating area to the front of the building, facing on to Lord Street.”

“There is no relevant planning history relating to the development.”

“The development is considered to be a highly obtrusive and incongruous addition to this listed building. The impact is harmful to the significance of this heritage asset whether the canopy is in use or retracted. The scale of the structure and quantity of steelwork means the view of the ground floor of the building is almost entirely lost, with the bays and portico now barely visible.”

“Consequently, the structure causes harm to the special architectural and historic interest of the Listed Building and its installation has failed to either preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the building and Conservation Area.”

“Conservation The development causes harm to the special architectural and historic interest of the Listed Building and would fail to preserve or enhance the Conservation Area. The Conservation Officer objects to the development.”

“- Façade of Grade II listed building should not be covered by “ugly mass of plastic and metal”. - Council should make sure it is removed. It mars one of the oldest and loveliest historic buildings.”

“The Committee considered the report of the Chief Planning Officer recommending that the above applications for (a) the erection of a canopy over the seating area to the front of The Bold Hotel, Lord Street Southport (retrospective) and (b) Listed Building Consent for the erection of a canopy over the seating area to the front of The Bold Hotel, Lord Street, Southport (retrospective) be refused for the reasons stated or referred to in the report.”

“That the recommendation be approved and the applications be refused for the following reasons:-”