Bamber Bridge bar's later closing time plan put on ice over noise concerns

The Lancs and Yorks had sought permission for later trading just over a year after planning approval was granted for the venture on Station Road - in premises which used to be occupied by a pub of the same name.

However, South Ribble Borough Council planning officers recommended that councillors reject the proposal to amend the hostelry’s permitted opening times, which are currently 8am to midnight every day of the week.

The operator of the venue had wanted to change them to 10am until 12.30am from Monday to Wednesday, 8am until 1.30am Thursday to Sunday and 10am to 1.30am on bank holidays.

Four objections were lodged to the application, with claims that existing “excessive noise” is already “causing disturbance and nuisance from loud thumping DJ music with heavy bass” - and affecting the ability of some locals to sleep.

Planning case officer Linda Ashcroft told a meeting of South Ribble’s planning committee that the authority’s environmental health team had concluded that “nothing has changed fundamentally” to justify the proposed change of hours, which would have a “detrimental impact on nearby residents”.

However, before committee members got the chance to debate the matter, the agent for the application asked them to consider deferring their decision until a later date.

Stephen Fish said that the applicant, Ashvestments Limited, would like to "take the opportunity to be able to consult further with the planning department and environmental health to find out exactly what the main concerns are and see if these can be addressed”.

Councillors felt that it was a reasonable request, with committee member - and cabinet member for planning - James Flannery describing it as “sensible”.

He added: “We are pro small businesses…in South Ribble and this is obviously a small business that just wants to do well.”

Cllr Caroline Moon said that a “middle ground” should always be found if possible.

The operator had originally also sought permission to extend the times during which live music could be performed at the venue - beginning at 10am each day instead of 5pm as currently.

However, that proposal was dropped prior to the meeting to ensure that a first-floor beauty business at the premises and an adjoining car rental outlet were not disturbed during their working hours.

After the former Lancs and Yorks pub closed in 2013, the ground floor of the building was divided into two units.