A Churchtown restaurant has been ordered to remove part of its enclosed terrace after Sefton Council rejected a retrospective planning application. Suzie's Churchtown, which opened in November on the corner of Cambridge Road and Manor Road, had submitted plans for a single-storey extension accommodating its terrace and awning.
Background of the Dispute
The application came after a previous rejection for the awning and enclosed area. The council stated the restaurant had not secured planning permission before installing the awning and judged it did not fit with the character of the surrounding conservation area. Suzie's general manager Cara Quinn had warned the restaurant could go out of business if forced to remove the awning, as most customers prefer outdoor seating. A petition to retain the awning has garnered over 3,000 signatures, and Suzie's is appealing the decision.
Council's Rationale for Rejection
The new plans, modified to better fit the conservation area and argued to benefit the community, were discussed at Sefton Council's Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday evening. The council's report stated the application would create a harmful impact on neighbouring properties and neither preserve nor enhance the conservation area's character.
According to the report, permission was granted in 2024 for a single-storey extension with outdoor seating, but the constructed extension nearly doubles the approved floorspace and increases the number of covers. Concerns were raised by local residents about additional noise, disturbance, and on-street parking. The covered, permanent nature of the extension allows year-round use regardless of weather, creating a more intensive use of the site to the detriment of neighbouring properties.
Arguments For and Against
Suzie's argued that a fully enclosed seating area with an awning would generate less noise than an open terrace. A local resident submitted a late representation supporting the restaurant, stating its appearance fits the character of Churchtown and that it invests in a neglected building, attracting visitors. However, another property reported increased traffic, parking issues, and noise from the terrace.
At Wednesday's meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Lynne Thompson asked if there had been any noise complaints. Officer Carol Pollitt responded that there had been no complaint history, but added that the most intensive use period had not yet arrived. She noted the premises has operated late into the evening, and the council expects such situations to trigger complaints.
Decision and Reaction
Councillors voted to reject the application, though not unanimously; Liberal Democrat councillor John Dodd voted to approve it. Ms Quinn previously told the ECHO that the building had been empty for two years before Suzie's opened, and the restaurant has enhanced the area, bringing footfall to other businesses. She said the restaurant employs around 35 staff, and removing the awning could force two-thirds to be let go. She added, "It'd be a shame if the awning goes because it has become a lovely little hub... We could potentially close and it would just be another empty building."
A Sefton Council spokesperson reiterated that the extension was built without permission and that all owners must adhere to the same rules. The retrospective application was refused due to its impact on the conservation area and residents' living conditions. The applicant has appealed, and the council awaits the outcome.
