Restaurant lodges new application to keep its under-threat extension

A popular Blackpool restaurant which was ordered to take its extension down has lodged a new planning bid to keep it.

Last year, planners at Blackpool Council turned down a bid by the Eating Inn Steakhouse to keep its glazed extension, saying it conflicted with policies designed to protect the character of the Promenade.

The popular restaurant, in South Shore, had hoped its revised application would be accepted by town hall planners who had already refused a previous scheme for the venue.

The retrospective application for the development, which was built to enable the business to continue trading during Covid, said improvements had been made to the glazed dining area including creating a more solid roof.

But the scheme was refused by the council using delegated powers which means it did not have to go before members of the Planning Committee. The decision meant the extension remained under enforcement action to remove it.

A report last year by the council’s planning officer said the extension represented ‘piecemeal development’ and “would project significantly beyond the established building line formed by the rest of the properties in the row. ”

A year on, the resturant is still desperately trying to keep the structure, stating that its removal would have a devastating effect on the business, including loss of jobs.

There has even been an online petition, backed by regulars and other supporters, to try and get the order to remove the extension rescinded. It currently has 2,675 signatures.

Now a new restrospective planning application has been submited to planners at Blackpool Council, presenting another revised design which is is hoped will be deemed more acceptable.

The application, on behalf of owner Mr Ben Sharrock, is for the erection of a single storey front extension (retrospective application) at 463 Promenade, Blackpool.

A planning statement, by Lee Fenton Planning Services said: “ This planning application is submitted on behalf of Mr Ben Shorrock for a single storey front extension to the existing restaurant in the form of a fully glazed canopy with a slimline anthracite grey aluminum frame.

“The application seeks retrospective permission as the work has already been carried out to enable space for the business to keep trading during the Covid restrictions.

“Changes to the structure have taken place since the original planning application and the structure now has a solid roof, more in keeping with the materials of the host building.

“The structure is subject to enforcement action. It is considered that the application should be approved and the enforcement action halted.

“This is primarily due to the economic factors associated with the loss of the structure. The business employs 25 permanent staff, all of which are local people.

“Should the structure be removed, this will halve the available floor space inside the restaurant and the knock-on effect would be that staff numbers will have to reduce accordingly.

“The structure was initially erected during COVID for social-distanced outside dining. The lasting impact of COVID has led to an increased requirement for personal space in public settings, with people larger eateries.

“This puts more pressure on smaller establishments such as the Eating Inn and it’s therefore imperative they are able to retain the proposed structure.”

The statement concludes: “ It is considered that the planning policies relating to ‘piecemeal’ forecourt development are outdated and do not reflect the pressures put upon small businesses from Covid and the subsequent years.

“This should therefore be given limited weight in the overall assessment. This proposal represents the expansion / sustainability of an existing business and as such should be supported by the LPA (local planning authority).