Plans for a new bar-restaurant on Waterloo's South Road have been refused as there are 'enough there already'.
Ascot Property Group wanted to see the former Betfred store (at the east end of the street) turned into a bar and restaurant, after the unit has sat empty for almost two years.
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But people living nearby were unhappy with the plans, and a petition signed by scores of residents was submitted to Sefton Council .
Part of the petition reads: "[We] believe there are enough licensed bars as well as pubs in the area to meet every need possible.
"There have been well documented disturbances both in and around these bars that have affected residents in terms of excessive noise levels not to mention considerable parking issues over the abuse by visitors of the residents' parking scheme.
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"[The] Council is sure to remember the issues surrounding the closure of The Luxor . We believe enough is enough.”
The Luxor was forced to shut for two months in 2017 after pressure from the police to close altogether.
An individual objection was also lodged from a person living in one of the flats above the empty unit.
They said: "We already experience noise and disturbance from neighbours as the walls are very thin; and we are concerned that no closing time is proposed."
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At a Sefton planning committee meeting last night, Paul Keegan, agent for Ascot, said: "The property is vacant and has been for some time.
"My client has been marketing the premises for 18 months with no buyers so he is looking for other options. The change [into a bar and restaurant] is an attempt to bring a vacant unit back into viable use”
But local councillor Paul Cummins said: "South Road’s nighttime economy is welcome but is at saturation point.
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“Taking a bar to this end [of South Road] is one step too far.
“It’s too close to residents and has the potential to cause X [amount of] problems for them. We do welcome the nighttime economy but there are enough bars and restaurants already.”
Cllr John Kelly added that turning the unit into a bar-restaurant would 'change the face of what is fundamentally a residential and shopping area'.
Planning committee members then unanimously voted against the the proposal.
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Last night's meeting at Southport Town Hall also saw plans to turn an empty tower block into homes for the elderly approved.
Verum Victum Healthcare [VVHC], who are behind the proposals say they'll turn the current 30 one-bedroom flats and 61 two-beds at Irlam House on Church Walk in Bootle into 90 'supported living' one-bedroom apartments.
William Becker & Sons Ltd were also granted permission to build seven new homes at land to the rear of Southbank Road in Southport, while proposals to build 11 woodland lodges at Formby Hall Golf Club were deferred so the committee can consider a petition from local residents which was submitted late because of the bank holiday weekend.
