Wedding venue plans at The Hayloft given permission

The proposals to change the use of a barn at The Hayloft, Sandy Lane Farm, Bold Heath, were submitted to the St Helens Council in 2021.

The application was for external alterations and a change of use of the existing barn to a wedding ceremony venue, and sought retrospective consent for the change of use of the cafe to a mixed-use cafe and events reception, along with alterations to car parking to include additional parking spaces and associated planting.

An initial application was refused in 2019 and a resubmitted application was sent to the local authority in 2020 but later withdrawn.

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However, the latest plans which were submitted by applicant Emily Owen last year have received the green light, despite objection letters from residents.

The plans stated: "The proposed ceremony room is anticipated to accommodate a maximum of 120 guests. Ceremonies would not be limited to any particular days of the week but due to market demand it is anticipated that the majority of events would be likely to take place on the weekends."

They said the venue hosts approximately 25 wedding receptions in the existing function room each year, along with other smaller functions and parties.

The function room can accommodate up to a maximum of 120 daytime guests, although a maximum of 150 evening guests can be accommodated in the café, plans added.

Plans have been approved (Image: St Helens Council Planning Portal)

The application said: "Whilst this is the maximum capacity, the applicant has confirmed that the majority of weddings consist of 60-80 daytime guests and 80-100 evening guests.

"Given that the proposed wedding ceremony room has an identical maximum guest capacity when compared to the existing function room, which hosts wedding receptions, and is less when compared to the evening guest capacity, there is not anticipated to be a material increase in guests arriving/departing the site when compared to the existing use, which has been accepted by the Highway Officer".

It is anticipated "that that there will be more bookings for full day venue hire, rather than twilight wedding receptions, as the wedding ceremony could be held on site rather than at a registry office, however, they do not envisage a material increase in the total number of weddings held per year, just that they are able to offer a more complete wedding service".

A Transport Statement said: "sufficient off-street parking is proposed as part of the development.

The plans were met with strong opposition from some residents.

Case officer Jennifer Bolton noted that representations had cited concerns including that the "speed and volumes of traffic make walking in the lane and working on the garden a danger for both persons and pets".

Residents also said they had "continuous personal issues with cars and taxis stopping and either knocking at the door or sounding horns late into the night".

It was also said: "In the last two years, volumes of traffic and parking have become dangerously high specifically around certain events".

Parking concerns and loss of privacy were also among issued raised.

The submitted plans said a total of 89 parking spaces are proposed including 84 in the main car park, six of which are disabled bays, and five staff parking spaces accessed form the existing western site access.

In a report recommending approval, Ms Bolton said: "This planning application seeks retrospective change of use of the existing brick café building which has been in operation for hosting wedding receptions and special occasions in tandem to its approved café use that is also open to the general public".

The applicant states the change of use would provide five full time and 18 part time jobs.

Ms Bolton said: "It is understood that the converted barn will be utilised to host subjectively ‘louder’ events such as wedding receptions, including for disco/amplified music events. The new timber/cladding barn will only be used to host subjectively ‘quieter’ events, such as wedding ceremonies, baby showers or similar".

The report stated: "Considering the absolute noise level emanating from the converted barn when the disco/amplified music is operational, it is concluded that disco noise will likely have a ‘low’ impact at the nearest residential receivers".

It concluded: "There are very special circumstances which demonstrate the limited harm to the green belt is outweighed.

"It is considered subject to conditions controlling the management of uses and hours of operation that the amenity of residents will not be diminished to an unacceptable level".