Seafront terrace bar 'obscures coastal views' and should not have opened in the first place

The future of a seafront bar is now uncertain after it lost its latest planning battle. The operators of The Terrace Bar, next to Central Pier, have lost an appeal after challenging a decision by Blackpool Council to refuse planning permission for the venue.

The Blackpool Pier Company had applied for retrospective planning permssion for the venue which they say raises vital revenue for the upkeep of the historic pier. The company said it did not wish to comment on the outcome of the appeal.

The business has been trading for a number of years after first being set up as a portable bar surrounded by gazebos, which was set up to support a classic car show. But in May 2021 it was discovered there was no planning permission in place for the development.

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Its future could still be secured however, under rules which state some developments which have been in place for more than four years are immune from requiring planning permission. Independent planning inspector TJ Burnham, who considered the appeal, ruled the bar had a “detrimental” impact on the pier which was built in 1868, and contravened council policies restricting development west of the tram tracks.

Setting out his decision, he said “the bar and the associated structures clutter and obscure views towards both parts of the pier.” He adds: “The proposal would therefore have a detrimental impact on the significance of Central Pier by failing to preserve its setting.”

He said the bar created a visible contrast “with the open and clear nature of the area, obscuring seafront and coastline views albeit to a limited extent. The bar therefore has an adverse impact on the