The owners of the Dolce Vita in Southport are appealing for public support after they were told to remove their outdoor bar.
The Italian restaurant, which has been at 90 Station Road at the heart of Ainsdale Village since 1986, had submitted a planning application after installing the structure to serve customers enjoying a morning coffee, lunch or a few drinks between March and October.
The facility has been open between 9am and 9pm, creating three new jobs.
Sefton Council has now ruled the venue must remove the outdoor bar, saying it’s “an incongruous feature which does not integrate well with the existing street scene”.
In their report, Sefton Council’s Planning Department said: “Previously the extent of built form this close to the highway was boundary walls, specifically to the adjacent Ainsdale Village Church and to the residential properties to the other side of Station Road.
“The position of the building to the front significantly distracts from the open character of the area, bringing built form much closer to the highway than existing.
“The as installed building results in an incongruous feature which does not integrate well with the existing street scene and forms a dominant feature.
“While this is finished in material similar to the main building, it is considered that this does not overcome the harm caused due to the siting of the building.”
The owners of Dolce Vita are now setting up a petition and are appealing for public support as they look to appeal the decision.
They said: “You may or may not be aware that Sefton Council have demanded us to remove our outdoor bar earlier this week!
“According to the council, ‘the detached unit forms an incongruous and dominant feature in the street scene which fails to respond positively to the character and appearance of the area’.
“We have had nothing but positive feedback from our customers, dog walkers and those in the neighbourhood! We are simply asking you to speak out and help us win this battle!
“A simple like, comment or reshare of our social media posts will do.
“Every bit counts as we truly believe we are creating a better environment for the area as we look to enhance our service.
“We hope you will stand with us and show Sefton Council that this decision is wrong.
“Thank you all for the support and kind words. We have created a petition and are awaiting for it to be accepted by the council.
“We will share once it’s been approved for all to sign and share.”
Local customers have commented on the decision on social media.
Notable Photography said: “I don’t think I’ve come across a single negative comment about this space – Facebook has plenty of positive ones, actually. I suppose the whole village has your back on this one.”
Tropic Skincare Aisha said: “Looks amazing! You have the whole village behind you – hopefully common sense will prevail.”
Siophie’s Play Cafe said: “It looks amazing and it’s just what the village needs!! Praying it stays.”
Helen Halsall said: “Never seen so many people enjoying a lovely lunch here since the bar opened. We have enjoyed it several times. Thank you for supporting our village.”
RAL Architects in Southport submitted the planning application to Sefton Council asking to keep the structure, either on a permanent or a short-term basis.
In their submission, they said: “Dolce Vita, a long established restaurant in the centre of the commercial area of Ainsdale Village, have constructed a small free standing unit at the front of the restaurant, within the demise of the restaurant and set back from the public footpath.
“The building is designed to provide service to the small sitting area to the front of the restaurant where customers can order drinks and light bites during the summer months and sit outside … al Fresco.
“The unit is intended to function only between March and October and will therefore be closed from November to February.
“When open the facility will open at 9am for coffee and hot drinks and the kiosk will be closed at 9pm every day.
“The facility will provide 3 jobs when open.
“The unit has been constructed without planning approval and this is therefore a retrospective application to regularise the installation.
“Whilst intended to be a permanent feature the applicant would agree to a planning approval being time limited to 5 years with a further application being required should the applicant want to retain the kiosk beyond this time period.
“The applicant has consulted neighbours widely and there have been no concerns raised, including from Ainsdale Village Church next door. The use is consistent with the central village location and there are many bars with outdoor seating and service in close proximity to Dolce Vita.
“The unit is of high quality and appropriate in the street scene. The use is consistent with the central village location and with surrounding uses.”
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