A BID for another licensed premises on Lark Lane was given the go-ahead despite a landmark ruling to try to stop any more being opened there.
The owner of 99-101 Lark Lane wants to open a cafe and basement wine bar there, but needed old planning permission renewed.
She won her bid in spite of Liverpool City Council adopting a new strategy earlier this year to try to curb any more premises selling alcohol.
The “cumulative impact assessment” – which studied the knock-on effects of having too many pubs, bars and takeaways in the picturesque lane – was undertaken by the council’s licensing committee and was approved by the full council in March.
At the time, it was believed to be the first such “bar ban” in the UK, and while the council still has no absolute power to stop applications, it was thought it would make it extremely difficult to get applications through.
But yesterday the planning committee rubber stamped the 99-101 Lark Lane application after hearing objections from ward councillors.
Heritage campaigners also argued the character of “Liverpool’s only Bohemian street” was being degraded by more and more fast food and licensed establishments being given the green light.
Addressing the meeting, applicant Kim Taylor read out a letter of support for the bid from her surveyor, who said: “Suffice to say the present planning consent, if not extended, will mean the building will remain vacant indefinitely.” Green councillor Sarah Jennings, who represents St Michael’s ward, objected, adding: “We worked for three years to get the cumulative impact policy brought in.
