PLANS to turn historic Sefton Park into what has been dubbed the “UK’s biggest boozer” face a court challenge tomorrow (Thursday, Dec 12).
Earlier this year Liverpool City Council's licensing committee approved an application for a full off- and on-licence in Sefton Park to cater for events of up to 39,999 people - applicable every day of the year.
'The noise from this year’s International Music Festival - over four days - was horrendous'
But now Sefton Park Residents Association has mounted a legal challenge in a bid to overturn the variation order that allows big scale events in the park.
The hearing, at Liverpool Magistrates Court, is likely to last two days, is before District Judge Wendy Lloyd. The city council has engaged a QC as its representative.
The council has formed a strategy to attract big scale events to Sefton Park, with talk of a permanent stage being constructed. It could see concerts and large scale events attracted to Aigburth and its Victorian green space.
Today a spokesman for the residents’ association told Liverpool Confidential: “We believe the decision to grant this licence was wrong in a number of ways. We will be citing an 1890 order that imposes limits on activity in the park, and prohibits events on Sundays.
“We have always accepted some activity in the park, but in the past few years things have got out of hand, with noise and traffic chaos. People have told us they are selling up and moving out of the Sefton Park area because of the trauma they suffer by these increases activities.
“The noise from this year’s International Music Festival over four days in Sefton Park was horrendous and the council response was next year it will be “bigger and better”.
“Whenever there is a big event in the park it is though residents go into siege mentality mode. Ordinary everyday life goes out of the window. Essentially the council, with its decision, has turned all 235 acres of the park into an open air pub.
Peace of the park will be ruined, say residents
“Whenever there is an event it starts with road closures from around 6am, then come sound checks, parking chaos – often with driveways blocked, then the noise of the events. If it is the council’s intention to encourage more events, life for park residents will become unbearable.
“People moved to the area to be close to what is a beautiful park for them to enjoy.”
A Liverpool City Council spokesperson said: “The inaugural Liverpool International Music Festival was hugely successful, attracting tens of thousands of visitors, not just from Liverpool but across the world. An independent report showed that 97 per cent of people enjoyed the event and the overall positive feedback we received was overwhelming.
“We’re hoping for a successful outcome to the court case, which will be best for the city and the local economy.”
