Junction pub, Rainford has marquee refusal appeal dismissed again

The Junction pub in Rainford previously had its plans for the siting of the marquee and storage containers on the land to the rear of the site for five years, refused by St Helens Council.

Landlord Paul Draper appealed against the decision to the Planning Inspectorate.

Mr Draper said the marquee has been in place for several years, pre-dating the pandemic, and holds many important events which are vital for the viability of the pub’s future.

The Junction is a central part of the village community and is renowned for its live music offerings.

However, the Planning Inspectorate had dismissed a first appeal in July last year and said there was “not compelling evidence” to outweigh the “harm” to the green belt.

Junction landlord Paul Draper lodged a second appeal, which he said is for a five-year term.

A site visit was made from the Planning Inspectorate, based in Bristol.

Paul told the Star the marquee has been "a lifeline for the Junction" and has "hosted many successful events and weddings" helping the pub to pay off high-energy bills which have hit the hospitality sector hard amid the cost-of-living crisis.

However, in a decision published on February 23, inspector Elaine Moulton refused the plans.

She re-iterated that that it “would represent inappropriate development in the green belt”.

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In a report, Ms Moulton said: “The site coverage in combination with the height, represents a substantial increase in the bulk of development thereby reducing it openness. Furthermore, given the capacity of up to 200 people, any associated paraphernalia and activity arising from the use, also contributes to a reduction in openness.”

Ms Moulton added that while “marquees are not atypical of the types of structures located at public houses” they “historically have been, features seen within the rural area they are not typical within prominent and exposed open countryside locations such as the appeal site.”

The marquee has hosted many events at the pub (Image: Submitted)

It was added the pub “has a function room that could accommodate smaller events” and that “a marquee could be erected on the site for up to 28 days per year which would enable some of the larger events to be held”, adding: “Given such factors, there remains doubt as to whether the loss of such additional income will mean that the pub will be forced to close, despite the claims of the appellant to the contrary. Consequently, this limits the weight that I can afford to such economic benefits of this case”.

Ms Moulton added she accepted the marquee “has directly created 11 additional jobs” and “that at least one additional, events manager job, will be created should the marquee be retained as proposed” and has “no reason to dispute the appellant’s claim that the removal of the marquee will result in the immediate loss of six full-time jobs”. While “such retention and creation of jobs carries positive weight in favour of the proposal”, such weight “is limited given the temporary nature of the development” she ruled.

Ms Moulton added: “I have found harm to the openness of the green belt, although such harm is less than if the appeal related to permanent development, and conflict with one of its purposes. I have also found harm to the character and appearance of the area”.