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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Benjamin Roberts-haslam

Miniature railway revamp with cafe and ice cream parlour approved

Proposals for a new terminal, café and ice cream parlour have been approved for the miniature railway in Southport.

The plans will see a new Victorian-style terminal and a fish and chip café for the Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway on Marine Parade, Southport.

The plans also include a 14-sided ice cream parlour.

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Sefton Council have approved the plans which will see 10 new jobs be created.

The railway was bought by Pleasureland in 2016 and is one of several plans that the amusement park has put forward to the council, including a new rollercoaster and the recently approved observation wheel that will be based next to Marine Lake.

CGI images of the newly approved Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway (RAL Architects)

The plans have been led by Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis with the design being carried out by RAL Architects.

RAL Architects said in their application: "The character and style of the proposed buildings take their reference from the pier and the existing café building on the pier close to the application site.

"As shown the scale of the building closest to the pier is similar to it in height to and does not detract from the clear visual presence of the pier given it is approximately just 2% of the length of the pier.

Sketches showing the terminal, café and pier ahead of the new Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway (RAL Architects)

"We do not therefore consider that the development harms the setting of the listed structure but enhances the Conservation Area whilst creating jobs and an improved leisure offer on Southport Seafront."

The café and the ice cream parlour will be open from 10am -12am.

RAL Architects also wrote: "The proposed is to erect a new terminal station with a (Fish & Chip) Café and an Ice Cream Parlour with associated landscaping in Victorian style taking its reference from the adjacent Pier.

"The train terminal is to be located at the end of the railway tracks with the two shops to the north west of the site. The café runs along the Southport Pier facing towards Marine Parade.

"The form of the Ice cream parlour respects the surroundings and takes its form from the flow of people and is shaped as a fourteen sided polygon with straight sides to the southern corner. There are display windows to all sides."

Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie said in his report: "It is clearly evident that the new miniature railway station plus the ice cream parlour and café will provide for improved visitor attractions and as per the comments from the Council's conservation officers they will not be detrimental to the historic and landscape character of the Seafront.

"On this matter the principle of development is accepted."

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