Largs: Strong opposition to extension of Paddle Steamer

The JD Wetherspoon chain has applied to North Ayrshire Council (NAC) for permission for the outdoor seating area on the prom outside The Paddle Steamer.

The company has submitted a fresh application to the council after two previous bids were rejected, both of which attracted a furious response from locals.

The company wants permission for 10 tables and 20 chairs on the prom side of the pub.

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall, former head of the North Ayrshire planning committee, has spoken out against the proposal.

A similar application was rejected by the local authority in 2019.

Previous proposals, for 10 tables and 40 chairs, in 2017 were also opposed, and were later withdrawn, leading to the scaled-back application being lodged two years later.

Members of Largs Community Council (LCC) discussed the fresh application at their monthly meeting on April 18.

Jim Perman, head of the LCC planning sub committee, "God loves a trier, but I remember they tried this before and we objected on the grounds that this was just an outdoor smoking area.

"There are less chairs this time round but there are the same number of tables. In the previous one there were four chairs per table and in this application there is only two per table."

Wendy Low Thomson said: "It is a hazard and an obstruction on one of the busiest parts of the prom."

Jamie Black said: "We are not a community council that generally opposes things, and I have read the past history, but I just think it is mad. In a busy day we can't afford two metres.

"I think we need to object as it is the narrowest area and it would be to the detriment of everybody else."

Community councillor Jamie Black was vehemently against proposal (Image: Newsquest)
Chairman Jim Phillips asked for a show of hands and all the community councillors in the room present registered their opposition.

Councillor Marshall said: "I formally object to the grant of this planning permission on the basis that it will negatively impact on the use of the promenade.

"It will cause conflict with pedestrians, dog walkers, children, cyclists, wheelers and other users of the promenade.

"It will reduce the width of the promenade from five metres to 3.7 metres, a reduction of some 26 per cent. The promenade immediately to the north of this location is 10 metres wide. 

"Wetherspoon already has an outdoor seating area, and this new area is excessive. 

Cllr Tom Marshall is strongly against JD Wetherspoons proposal (Image: North Ayrshire Conservatives)

"Assuming this area is to seek a licence, it will, without permanent separation, be in conflict with passing children and young people

"Additionally can we have some enforcement regarding the storage of casks, containers etc outwith their northmost boundary thereby obstructing the pedestrian pathway."

Cllr Marshall has asked that if the application goes before NAC's planning committee, he be invited to address the committee on the proposal.

The 2019 application was refused after NAC officials said it would have a "negative impact on the movement of users of the promenade, causing localised congestion with pedestrians, cyclists and other users".

The new application states that the furniture would be placed on the prom outside the pub between 8am and 10pm.

However, during spells of harsh and wet weather the furniture would remain indoors.

The application also says the tables and chairs would not be put out during periods of greater footfall such at the Largs Viking Festival.

The application paperwork says the pub's manager met an official from NAC's roads department and with North Coast councillor Alan Hill on March 8 to discuss the proposal, and that the proposed seating area was set up to allow a visual assessment.

A supporting statement lodged along with the application says: "All agreed that a substantial depth of the promenade would remain."

Council officials have set a 'determination deadline' for the application of Saturday, June 15.

To view the application visit North Ayrshire Council's planning portal at eplanning.north-ayrshire.gov.uk and search 24/00324/PP.