A popular seafront bar in Blackpool has finally secured its future following a three-year planning battle with the council.
The Terrace Bar next to Central Pier has faced the threat of closure since the discovery in 2021 that it did not have planning permission. An application submitted in April 2021 was refused with the decision upheld on appeal.
An enforcement notice was then served by Blackpool Council but was withdrawn following another appeal which was considered at a two-day planning inquiry in front of an independent planning inspector.
The Blackpool Piers Company, which operated the bar, then applied for a certificate of lawfulness for the venue which has now been agreed by the council.
A council report says “The operational development is lawful and the council has confirmed that no enforcement action will be taken against the use.
“As such, on balance, it is considered that the very particular circumstances of this case would fall within the ‘any other reason’ allowance set out in the wording of section 191(2) of the Act.
“A Certificate of Lawfulness should therefore be issued confirming that the development was lawful on the date of the application.”
The Blackpool Piers Company has always argued the pier and the bars, including the Terrace Bar on land directly next to the pier, have operated as a single entity in planning terms.
The Certificate of Lawfulness confirms the bar is able to continue operating and its planning status is no longer in limbo.
The venue began life as a pop-up bar in August 2017 in connection with events being held on the Promenade, with further seating and decking added in 2018, and then a canopy in 2019.
The bar has remained open throughout the protracted planning battle, with the Blackpool Pier Company saying it provides essential revenue which goes towards the maintenance of the Victorian structures.
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